C=0

Are you giving

everything

but yourself?

Good investments make

good sense. Nicodemus

knew that. But still he

searched for something

more. "Be born again" Jes

had said. The sight of

Jesus on the cross final-

ized the new birth in

Nicodemus' life. And in tt

years which followed, he

gave his entire wealth to

establish the young churc

And considered it his be:

investment ever.

When the Sabbath Schoc

offering is received this

week, before you give,

re-examine your priorities

in light of the Cross. Whet

Nicodemus did , he

invested his whole life. C(

you think of a better

investment?

Open Heart

Let God's love show through your giving.

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Sept4.-4,dea Depeatmt

To Sabbath School Members Around the World

Dear Fellow Believers:

The Trans-Africa Division Family wishes to thank all Sabbath

School members for the liberal support given in the 1978 Special

Project Offering to our Division which was for the erection of

an evangelistic center in the large city-of Kinshasa, Zaire. Now

we have an experienced and capable worker located in this metrop-

olis and further plans are in the development stage.

For our project this quarter, we would like to share with you a

dream we have had for several years: that of building 500 rural

chapels throughout the Division! This is an ambitious project!

Here is the way we believe it can be done: our unions and fields

will select congregations which are most in need of chapels.

Through a co-operative plan of shared expenses the local congre-

gations will prepare and burn kilns of bricks and provide the

labor'for construction. Your funds will be combined with our

available resources to add corrugated iron roofs, cement floors,

doors and windows for these chapels.

You see in some areas, 90 percent of our congregations meet in mud

and thatch buildings. Other congregations meet under trees or out

in the open. We have found, as many of you have, that permanent

church homes do wonders to help stabilize and strengthen our

congregations.

In your mind's eye, visualize these happy groups of people through-

out the countries of our Division, rolling up their sleeves and

launching their brick-making work, seeing the walls of the chapels

go up, the metal roofs added, then the doors and window glasses

fitted in. Then visualize the day of the first meeting in their

new church homes1, Multiplied thousands of voices will be raised

in praise to God and in appreciation to their brethren in all the

world for helping them build clean, modest little chapels.

We have shared our dream with you. On behalf of this Division we

wish to say a hearty "THANK YOU" for helping your brothers and

sisters in Africa realize its fulfillment.

Very cordially yours,

%vide,

oe61-7-

Merle L Mills, President

his is Lucy Henderson's lemonade stand.

Lucy sells lemonade here four days a

week, after school, for 5C a glass. Her



mother donates the lemonade. Lucy

usually sells fifteen glasses of lemonade a day. So

her weekly income is $3.00.

On Sabbath, Lucy puts a quarter and a nickel

into an envelope, marks it "Tithe" and drops it in the

offering plate. That 10% of Lucy's income helps

support the world ministry of the church. Lucy is

happy to return her tithe to the Lord.

Lucy and her daddy both pay tithe on an equal

basis: 10% of income. But how much should Lucy ar

her daddy give in offerings?

Sometimes members are encouraged to give

$2.00. Now to Lucy, $2.00 is more than half her wee!

income. To Lucy's daddy, $2.00 is mere pocket chant

Lucy worries because $2.00 seems so much. Her

daddy feels $2.00 for him is really not enough!

Wouldn't it be better if we planned our offerings

a percentage basis, just like tithe? Many are doing jui

•

„,

•

ftitii

IIIIMIell

alli

INN

well

MIll

mil

IIII

...

11•1111

.....

...

11111111

....

1110.

ii,

his is Lucy Henderson's daddy's building.

Lucy's daddy works in an office on the

32nd floor from eight to five each

weekday. Mr. Henderson's weekly

....

1111111

IIII

income is substantially higher than Lucy's.

On Sabbath, Mr. Henderson puts a check into

an envelope, marks it "Tithe" and puts it in the

offering plate. That 10% of his income helps support

Mr.

mil

MINI

return

the world ministry of the church.



Henderson is

happy to



his tithe to the Lord.

t. The fact is, if every church member gave as an

:ring 2-3% of income, all world budget financial

!ds, from the

support of missions to educational

titutions, would be adequately met. Giving as God has

ssed is always ideal.

Proportionate financial support. It's an idea as old

tithing.

DAYBREAK SERIES

Oct.-Dec./1980

Adult Sabbath School Lessons (USPS 702-480)/No. 342/October-December, 1980

Conient

1. The Kingdom of Heaven

2. The Poor in Spirit

3. The Mourners

4. The Meek

5. Those That Hunger and Thirst

6. The Merciful

The Pure in Heart

The Peacemakers

The Persecuted

10.

"When Men Shall Revile You"

11.

"Ye Are the Salt"

12.

"Ye Are the Light"

13.

The Two Gates

The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department

of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons

is directed by a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which

serve as consulting editors.

Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20012

Lesson Author: Jean Zurcher

Editor: W. Richard Lesher

Editorial Secretary: Florence L. Wetmore

Circulation Manager: Arthur R. Mazat

Art and Design: Pacific Press

Braille lessons available. See page 112.

Adult Sabbath School Lesson (standard edition). Published quarterly by Pacific

Press Publishing Association, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042,

U.S.A. One year subscription in U.S.A., $2.40; single copy, 60 cents. One year sub-

scription to countries outside U.S.A., $3.20; single copy, 80 cents. All prices at U.S.A.

exchange. Second-class postage paid at Mountain View, California 94042, U.S.A.

When a change of address is desired, please send both old and new addresses.

HAPPY ARE YE!

Introduction

,The Christians of the last days are called to live in a world that is more and more

complex and more and more corrupt. At the same time, despite increasing iniquity

and the growing coldness of most Christians, God requires that His people "shew

forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light"

(1 Peter 2:9).

It is fitting then to define in some detail the spiritual life that Jesus taught charac-

terizes the citizens of His kingdom. We expect the coming of Jesus in our day, and we

must be fit for it. Ellen White notes that "Enoch's life and character, which were so

holy that he was translated to heaven without seeing death, represent what the lives

and characters of all must be, if, like Enoch, they are to be translated when Christ

shall come."—Our

High Calling,

p. 278.

The characteristics of the citizens of the kingdom are clearly outlined in the first

part of the Sermon on the Mount, usually called the Beatitudes. Here Jesus superbly

portrays the spirit that, beginning here on earth, must imbue all those who hope, one

day, to live in the kingdom of heaven.

"Here He [Jesus] specified who should be the subjects of His heavenly kingdom. He

did not speak one word to flatter the men of the highest authority, the worldly

dignitaries. But He presents before all the traits of character which must be pos-

sessed by the peculiar people who will compose the royal family in the kingdom of

heaven. He specifies those who shall become heirs of God and joint-heirs with

Himself. He proclaims publicly His choice of subjects, and assigns them their place in

His service as united with Himself. Those who possess the character specified, will

share with Him in the blessing and the glory and the honor that will ever come to

Him."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 1084.

For this reason the Beatitudes will serve as the basis of our study this quarter. The

first lesson is introductory to the Beatitudes and is about the kingdom of heaven of

which we are called to be citizens. With the second lesson a study of the Beatitudes of

Jesus is begun and continues through lesson 12. These lessons (2 through 12)

correspond to the Bible passages that Ellen White has included in the chapter "The

Beatitudes" in the book

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing.

Lesson 13 is drawn

from Jesus' illustration of the two gates given near the close of the Sermon on the

Mount. This lesson presents Jesus' appeal to enter "in at the strait gate" (Matt. 7:13),

which represents in part the principles taught in the Beatitudes.

May the careful study of these lessons awaken the desire of each one to grow more

and more I ikeJesus, thus glorifying God and contributing to the hastening of Christ's

kingdom of glory.

LESSON 1 September 28 to October 4

Klingdan

eaverra

"Hearken, my beloved brethren,

Hath not God chosen the poor of this

world rich in faith, and heirs of the

kingdom which he hath promised to

them that love him?" (James 2:5).

In the Bible the phrases "kingdom

of heaven" or "kingdom of God"

refer more to a kind or quality or

condition of people than to any one

geographical area, political entity,

class, or race. The kingdom of

heaven occurs wherever there are

individuals who freely and

imaginatively live out the value

system of God. "For where two or

three are gathered together in my

name, there am I in the midst of

them" (Matt. 18:20).

Now God has always had a people

to keep the ideals of His kingdom

alive on this earth. In the Old Tes-

tament it was the patriarchs and then

the Hebrew nation. Since the

first advent it has been Christianity.

Unfortunately, the majority of men

and women in every age has rejected

or at least ignored God. From time to

time this has even been true of His

own representatives. God's chosen

people have misinterpreted and

misused the truths entrusted to

them. They have at times lost sight of

God's gracious character and in turn

become exclusive and narrow.

To help us draw a lesson from our

spiritual ancestors, Ellen White said:

"It was the privilege of the Jewish

nation to represent the character of

God as it had been revealed to

Moses. In answer to the prayer of

Moses, 'Show me Thy glory,' the

Lord promised, 'I will make all My

goodness pass before thee.' Ex.

33:18, 19. 'And the Lord passed by

before him, and proclaimed, the

Lord, the Lord God, merciful and

gracious, longsuffering, and

abundant in goodness and truth,

keeping mercy for thousands,

forgiving iniquity and transgression

and sin. Ex. 34:6, 7. This was the

fruit that God desired from His

people.—Christ's

Object Lessons,

pp.

285, 286.

"The Jewish people ... forgot God,

and lost sight of their high privilege

as His representatives. The blessings

they had received brought no

blessing to the world. All their

advantages were appropriated for

their own glorification. They robbed

God of the service He required of

them, and they robbed their fellow

men of religious guidance and a holy

example. . . .

" . . . Their covetousness and greed

caused them to be despised even by

the heathen. Thus the Gentile world

was given occasion to misinterpret

the character of God and the laws of

His kingdom."—Christ's

Object

Lessons,

pp. 291-293.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church

believes it has been entrusted with

special last-day truth about God.

How best to share its insight into the

kingdom of heaven is our subject this

week.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

How to Read the Sermon on the

Mount

(Matt. 5:1)

Recognizing Our Responsibility

(Matt. 5:17-20)

The Kingdom of God Is Here

(Luke 17:20, 21)

Dimensions of the Kingdom-1

(John 1:11)

Dimensions of the Kingdom-2

(Matt. 13:33)

Two Sermons on the Mount

(Ex. 20:19)

The Kingdom of Heaven

LESSON 1



❑

Sunday

September 28

Part 1

HOW TO READ

THE SERMON

ON THE MOUNT

In what context should we study the Sermon on the Mount?

"Seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and

when he was set, his disciples came unto him" (Matt. 5:1).

It's always helpful to consider the context of any scriptural

passage. However, there are special cases where it is almost a

must that we consider the audience and circumstances for

which a certain portion of the Bible was written. This is true in

the case of the Sermon on the Mount. At the very outset in her

book

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

Ellen White offers

the following suggestion: "Let us in imagination go back to that

scene, and, as we sit with the disciples on the mountainside,

enter into the thoughts and feelings that filled their hearts.

Understanding what the words of Jesus meant to those who

heard them, we may discern in them a new vividness and beauty,

and may also gather for ourselves their deeper lessons."—

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 1.

Who was the intended audience for what has become

known as the Sermon on the Mount? Matt. 5:1.

Jesus' ministry had been in progress for some time when He

decided that the disciples should begin to bear heavier evan-

gelistic responsibilities. He had prayed all night for wisdom to

say precisely what they needed to hear in order to overcome

their inherited misconceptions of His work and role as the

Messiah. The disciples were the intended audience; but, as

always, Jesus was hdppy to share the truth with anyone who was

willing to listen.

What lesson did Jesus want to teach His disciples when He

gave the Beatitudes? Matt. 5:20.

It was not unusual for a Jewish teacher to expound upon the

law in order to refine its application to fit the needs of a specific

time and place. So if Jesus followed this Jewish method of

contrasting the old with the new in the latter part of Matthew 5,

that would not have aroused any suspicion. But content was a

different matter.

The disciples were Jews, and they shared their countrymen's

belief that the Messiah's sole purpose would be to reestablish

the kingdom of Judah. Their understanding of Jesus' mission

was clouded by these false expectations. They needed a correc-

tive.

Are we in need of this corrective today?

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

pp. 1-5;

The Desire of

Ages,

pp. 27-30, 577.

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

The Kingdom of Heaven

LESSON 1



❑

Monday

September 29



Part 2



How should today's church member respond to the Sermon

RECOGNIZING on the Mount?

OUR RESPON-



SIBILITY



"Whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be

called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:19). (See also

verses 17, 18, 20.)

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

God had given His people two gifts: (a) a knowledge of Him-

self, and (b) a knowledge of the ideals He had in mind for

created beings. The chosen people had memorized the ideals

but had lost sight of the God who stood behind them. Hence the

law became a matter for prideful achievement. Religious indi-

viduals were inclined to draw attention to themselves rather

than to God. While God's friends are supposed to be living

evidence for the quality of heaven's values, they are above all

responsible for keeping a true knowledge of God alive in soci-

ety. As we read Hosea 4 and Romans 1, the greatest need of this

world is a knowledge of what kind of person God is.

In what way does God depend upon His earthly friends in

sustaining the values of the kingdom of heaven? Matt. 5:17-

19.

"The Saviour came to glorify the Father by the demonstration

of His love.... The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved

in the perfection of the character of His people."—The

Desire of

Ages,

p. 671.

When our spiritual ancestors forgot God, the law became an

end in itself. It became burdensome; joyful and willing obedi-

ence was replaced by legalistic and mechanical obedience.

What is the message of those who would uphold the king-

dom of heaven today? Matt. 5:20.

"It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is en-

shrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His

character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At

this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message

illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His charac-

ter is to be made

known."—Christ's Object Lessons,

p. 415.

Do we concentrate on personal achievement, to the point of

crowding out a desire to share with our neighbors our knowl-

edge of the kind of person God Is?

Christ's Object Lessons,

"Talents" (Multiplied by Use), pp.

353-355;

Testimonies,

vol. 5, pp. 737-742;

Testimonies to Minis-

ters,

pp. 192, 193.

2-A.L. 4-80



The Kingdom



of Heaven

LESSON 1



❑

Tuesday

September 30



Part 3



What is the relation between the church and the kingdom of

THE KINGDOM God?

OF GOD



IS HERE



"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither

shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of

God is within you" (Luke 17:20, 21).

The phrases "kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God" are

virtually interchangeable: they refer to the presence of God's

values and His offer of salvation. There were moments in Old

Testament history when God's values and His offer of salvation

shone brightly, and there were others when these were hardly

visible. However, it was the life of Jesus that gave a full illumina-

tion of what it means to be a member of the kingdom of God.

Since the time of Christ the Christian church has tried to keep

this illumination vivid, with some success and some failure.

How visible is the kingdom of heaven in the world today?

Luke 17:20.

"The kingdom of God comes not with outward show. It comes

through the gentleness of the inspiration of His word, through

the inward working of His Spirit, the fellowship of the soul with

Him who is its life. The greatest manifestation of its power is

seen in human nature brought to the perfection of the character

of Christ."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 36.

This passage in Luke indicates that members of God's king-

dom on earth are difficult to identify by mere external means.

They may be members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church;

they may be in other religious communities. Or like the centu-

rion who came to Jesus, they may show no outward allegiance

to any religion. Eventually all of God's friends will come to-

gether as a remnant, but in the meantime what does their being

scattered throughout all communions and peoples imply?

Why did many of Jesus' countrymen not realize the pres-

ence of the kingdom of heaven? Luke 17:21.

"That which led the Jews to reject the Saviour's work was the

highest evidence of His divine character. . . . The highest evi-

dence that He came from God is that His life revealed the

character of God. He did the works and spoke the words of God.

Such a life is the greatest of all miracles."—The

Desire of Ages,

pp. 406, 407.



THINK IT THROUGH



When we hear the phrase "kingdom of heaven," do we tend

to think of a specific church or institution, or do we think of an

ongoing witness to the life of Christ?



FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pp. 419, 423, 425, 469, 470.

The Kingdom of Heaven

LESSON 1



❑

Wednesday

October 1



Part 4



Why do you think the majority of God's chosen people reject

DIMENSIONS Jesus' description of the kingdom of heaven?

OF THE



KINGDOM-1



"He came unto his own, and his own received him not"

(John 1:11).

Jesus' offer of membership in the kingdom of God was re-

jected by most of His countrymen. They challenged His right to

offer membership in the kingdom of God, because His descrip-

tion of the kingdom differed so widely from theirs. Ellen White

says: "The Jews looked for the kingdom of God to be estab-

lished in the same way as the kingdoms of the world. To pro-

mote righteousness they resorted to external measures."—

Christ's Object Lessons,

p. 77. They had completely inverted the

value system of God, which placed service as the most presti-

giOus of virtues.

What did God hope that the Israelites would achieve? Luke

13:18, 19.

"Their obedience to the law of God would make them marvels

of prosperity before the nations of the world. . . .

" . . . As in obedience to His natural laws the earth should

produce its treasures, so in obedience to His moral law the

hearts of the people were to reflect the attributes of His charac-

ter. Even the heathen would recognize the superiority of those

who served and worshiped the living

God."—Christ's Object

Lessons,

pp. 288, 289.

What does it mean to be a faithful member of God's king-

dom? Matt. 6:10.

"Faith is trusting God—believing that He loves us and knows

best what is for our

good."—Education,

p. 253.

Jesus did not reject the law and the inspired guidelines His

countrymen cherished. What He did reject was the picture of

God they had come to entertain. It is a law that people become

like the God they worship. Israel formed their understanding of

God after earthly kings. They had long since forgotten God's

reticence even to permit them a human king and had molded

their religious insights after the principles that moved worldly

governments.



THINK IT THROUGH



Read

The Desire of Ages,

p. 550, and consider to what extent

even ChriOians have adopted worldly values for rating suc-

cess.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"The Lord's Vineyard," pp. 284-296;

The Desire of Ages,

p. 407;

Patriarchs and Prophets,

p. 314.

The Kingdom of Heaven

LESSON 1



❑

Thursday

October 2



Part 5



What does God expect of His modern-day representatives?

DIMENSIONS



OF THE



"Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of

KINGDOM-2 heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in

three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened" (Matt.

13:33).

The kingdom of heaven was not withdrawn from the earth

when Jesus ascended to the throne of His heavenly Father.

Through the working of His Spirit in the lives of His earthly

friends, the true principles of God's kingdom were to be kept

attractive and highly visible until He should come again.

In what way is religious truth like leaven? Matt. 13:33.

"As the leaven, when mingled with the meal, works from

within outward, so it is by the renewing of the heart that the

grace of God works to transform the life.... There are many who

try to reform by correcting this or that bad habit, and they hope

in this way to become Christians, but they are beginning in the

wrong place. Our first work is with the heart. . . .

... True obedience is the outworking of a principle within.

. . . The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our

Redeemer."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

pp. 97, 98.

Quite simply, our spiritual ancestors lost sight of their Re-

deemer. Their motives for obedience became pride and a desire

for status of various kinds.

As a church member, what is your role in sustaining the

kingdom of heaven? Ps. 67:1-3.

"Through His people Christ is to manifest His character and

the principles of His kingdom."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

296.

"We are to praise God by tangible service, by doing all in our

power to advance the glory of His name. God imparts His gifts to

us that we also may give, and thus make known His character to

the

world."—Christ's Object Lessons,

p. 300.



THINK IT THROUGH



In a stunning rebuke, Ellen White suggests: "The sin of the

world today is the sin that brought destruction upon Israel.

Ingratitude to God, the neglect of opportunities and blessings,

the selfish appropriation of God's gifts.... They are bringing

ruin upon the world today."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

p. 302.

Could this possibly apply to me?



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Like Unto Leaven," pp. 101, 102;

"The Lord's Vineyard" (The Church of Today), pp. 296-306.

The Kingdom of Heaven

LESSON 1



❑

Friday

October 3

Part 6

TWO SERMONS

ON THE MOUNT

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

How do you explain the change in atmosphere between the

giving of the law on Sinai and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount?

"They said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will

hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die" (Ex. 20:19).

There is a striking contrast between the thunderous events

recorded in Exodus 20:18-21 and those—at least initially—

quiet, personal moments set down in Matthew 5. It's almost a

movement from earthquake and fire to the still small voice. Two

great information-giving occasions, but two distinct styles.

How did God communicate with Elijah on the mountain?

1 Kings 19:11, 12.

If Eden gives us an ideal picture of

God/man relationships,

then walking and talking with God as with a friend is the pre-

ferred means of communication. This is underlined by the fact

that all through Ellen White's writings the emphasis is on

thoughtful and reasonable apprehension of truth. But God

meets people where He finds them. He adapts His means of

communication to their specific situation.

"An important lesson for every minister of Christ to learn is

that of adapting his labors to the condition of those whom he

seeks to benefit. Tenderness, patience, decision, and firmness

are alike needful; but these are to be exercised with proper

discrimination. To deal wisely with different classes of minds,

under varied circumstances and conditions, is a work requiring

wisdom and judgment enlightened and sanctified by the Spirit

of God."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 385, 386.

How would you have accepted the contrast between Sinai

and the Mount of Blessing? (See Matt. 5:21-26.)

Had we been Jews at the time of Christ's first advent, would

we have accepted Christ, given the prevailing preconceived

notions that the Messiah should work in an atmosphere of

thunder and lightning? Would we have understood that the

reception of truth is progressive, that God refines His presenta-

tion of it as people themselves become more refined? Note this

from Ellen White:

"The Word of God presents special truths for every age....

God is leading out His people step by step. Truth is progres-

sive."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 2, p. 1000.

Do we make it easy for God to approach us?

Counsels on Sabbath School Work,

p. 34.

LESSON 2 October 5-11

2.The Poor in Spirit

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for

their's is the kingdom of heaven"

(Matt.

5:3).

In the next 11 lessons we will study

in detail each trait of Christian

character that Jesus enumerated in

the Beatitudes. "A study of Christ's

wonderful sermon on the mount will

teach the believer what must be the

characteristics of those whom the

Lord calls 'blessed.'

"I thank the Lord that such plain

directions are given to believers. If

we had no other instruction than is

contained in these fewwords, here is

sufficient, so that none need become

bewildered. But we have a whole

Bible full of precious instruction.

None need be in darkness and

uncertainty. Those who will seek by

faith and prayer and earnest study of

the Scriptures to obtain the virtues

here brought to view, will easily be

distinguished from those who walk

not in the light."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

S.D.A. Bible

Commentary,

vol. 5, pp. 1083, 1084.

"The beatitudes were His [Christ's]

greeting to the whole human family.

Looking upon the vast throng

gathered to listen to the Sermon on

the Mount, He seemed for the

moment to have forgotten that He

was not in heaven, and He used the

familiar salutation of the world of

light. From His lips flowed blessings

as the gushing forth of a long-sealed

fountain.

"Turning from the ambitious,

self-satisfied favorites of this world,

He declared that those were blessed

who, however great thOir need,

would receive His light'and love. To

the poor in spirit, the sorrowing, the

persecuted, He stretched out His

arms, saying, 'Come unto Me, . . .

and I will give you

rest.'

"—Education,

pp. 79, 80.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Object of

the Beatitudes

(Matt. 5:3-11)

Blessed Are the Poor

(Luke 6:20; Matt.

5:3)

Good News to the Poor

(Luke 4:18, 19)

Those Invited to the Feast

(Luke 14:21)

Jesus, Our Example

(2 Cor. 8:9)

The Promise of the Kingdom

(Matt.

5:3;

James 2:5)

The Poor in Spirit

LESSON 2



❑

Sunday

October 5



Part 1



What word did Jesus use to reveal His object in pronouncing

OBJECT the Beatitudes?

OF THE



BEATITUDES



"Blessed are" (Matt. 5:3-11).

"In the opening words of the Sermon on the Mount, Christ

addresses Himself to the supreme desire of every human

heart—happiness. This desire was implanted in man by the

Creator Himself, and was originally ordained to lead him to find

true happiness through cooperation with the God who created

him. Sin is involved when men attempt to achieve happiness as

an end in itself, by a short cut that by-passes obedience to the

divine requirements.

"Thus at the commencement of His inaugural address as King

of the kingdom of divine grace Christ proclaims that the main

objective of the kingdom is to restore the lost happiness of Eden

to the hearts of men, and that those who choose to enter in by

the 'strait' gate and the 'narrow' way (Matt. 7:13, 14) will find true

happiness. They will find inward peace and joy, true and lasting

satisfaction for heart and soul that come only when 'the peace

of God, which passeth all understanding,' is present to keep

their 'hearts and minds through Christ Jesus' (Phil.

4:7)."—

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 324.

According to Matthew, how many beatitudes did Jesus pro-

nounce? Matt. 5:3-12. Compare with Luke 6:20-26.

"The word

makarios

[happy, blessed] appears nine times in

vs. 3-11. But vs. 10, 11 refer to the same aspect of Christian

experience, and are therefore to be considered one beatitude,

thus leaving eight rather than nine beatitudes. Luke gives only

four beatitudes, the first, fourth, second, and eighth of Matthew,

in that order (Luke 6:20-23), but he adds four corresponding

woes (vs. 24-26)."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 324.



THINK IT THROUGH



Should we attribute a symbolic meaning to the Beatitudes

given in the book of Matthew?

If has been said that the Beatitudes are to the spiritual life

what the octave is to music.

We should not imagine that the Beatitudes place candidates

for the kingdom of God in eight distinct categories, not that

there are eight different roads leading to that end. The

Beatitudes, like the fruit of the Spirit, are all part of the whole;

they go together. All the graces will be possessed by the candi-

date for the kingdom of God.



FURTHER STUDY



S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, pp. 323, 324, 1084, 1085.

The Poor in Spirit

LESSON 2



❑

Monday

October 6

Part 2

BLESSED ARE

THE POOR

Who are the poor mentioned in the first beatitude?

"Blessed are you poor (Luke 6:20, RSV).

"Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Matt. 5:3).

By specifying that this is a matter of spiritual poverty, Jesus

submits that to have right to the kingdom of God, it is not

enough merely to be poor in earthly possessions. This poverty

of spirit—consciousness of spiritual deficiency—alludes to a

certain honesty and humility in assessing one's spiritual pos-

sessions. Without it the materially poor can themselves be at-

tached to riches, desiring passionately to possess them, even

though they do not actually enjoy them. Then the poor, like the

rich, enslaved to a desire for possessions, are not "poor in

spirit."

"Happy are they, He said, who recognize their spiritual pov-

erty, and feel their need of redemption. The gospel is to be

preached to the poor. Not to the spiritually proud, those who

claim to be rich and in need of nothing, is it revealed, but to

those who are humble and contrite. One fountain only has been

opened for sin, a fountain for the poor in spirit."—The

Desire of

Ages,

pp. 299, 300.

Why does God choose the poor rather than the rich to inherit

the kingdom? James 2:5.

In reality God is not partial to special groups. He does not

exclude anyone. If the Messianic promises are addressed espe-

cially to the disinherited, to the poor of the world, it is because

by circumstance they are more inclined to turn to God and to

look to Him for all things. It is their inner inclinations that render

the poor more open to the gospel, not poverty itself. On the

other hand, history bears witness that the poor of every age and

of every country are the first to respond to God's call. (See 1 Cor.

1:26-29.) Jesus pointed out this fact in the parable of the mar-

riage supper.



THINK IT THROUGH



What characteristic of the rich forms an obstacle to answer-

ing Christ's call?

The obstacle is not money itself; rather it is a selfish attach-

ment to money, the greedy quest for it, selfish possession of

worldly wealth, limitless confidence in riches, the poor man's

envy of the rich, the rich man's avarice. After declaring, "How

hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of

God!" Jesus clarified His statement by adding, "How hard is it

for them that trust riches to enter into the kingdom of God!"

(Mark 10:23, 24).



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:2, 3), pp. 6-9.

The Poor in Spirit

LESSON 2



❑

Tuesday

October 7

Part 3

GOOD NEWS

TO THE POOR

THINK IT THROUGH

What terms used by the prophet Isaiah to foretell the work of

the Messiah did Jesus borrow to announce His mission?

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath

anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me

to heal the brokenhearted" (Luke 4:18, 19).

"Christ came to preach the gospel to the poor. He reached the

people where they were. He brought plain, simple truth to their

comprehension."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible

Commentary.

vol. 5, pp. 1119, 1120.

"Christ came to this earth to walk and work among the poor

and suffering. They received the greatest share of His attention.

And today, in the person of His children, He visits the poor and

needy, relieving woe and alleviating suffering."—Testimonies,

vol. 7,

p. 226.

The poor occupied an important place in our Lord's teach-

ings, and the early church knew how to put these teachings into

practice.

What proof of His Messiahship did Jesus send to John the

Baptist? Matt. 11:2-5.

Miracles and the preaching of the good news to the poor were

the signs that Jesus gave to John's envoys, who had been sent

to ascertain if Jesus was indeed the Messiah announced by the

prophets and expected by Israel.

The poor spoken of in the Bible were not necessarily desti-

tute. The word was especially used to designate the peasantry,

who were ravaged as much by the ruling Jews as by the occupy-

ing power, particularly after the exile.

The poor in Israel are mentioned in certain of the psalms. (See

Pss. 40:17; 69:33; 109:31.) The prophets were their defenders; it

was to them that they announced the Messianic kingdom. They

are the ones of whom it was said that they awaited "the consola-

tion of Israel" and "redemption in Jerusalem" (Luke 2:25, 38).

Although they were mistaken about the nature of His kingdom,

God announced the Messiah's advent to them first: the

shepherds, Simeon, Anna. Joseph and Mary were of their

number—of them who were able to offer only the sacrifices of

the poor in the temple. (See Luke 2:21-24.) It was also to the

poor in Israel that Jesus first preached the good news of salva-

tion.

Following the example set by the early church, are we ready

to provide for the material and spiritual needs of those less

fortunate than we? (See Acts 2:44, 45; 11:28-30.)

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies, vol.

7, pp. 226-228.

The Poor in Spirit

LESSON 2



❑

Wednesday

October 8



Part 4



What lesson did Jesus wish to teach in the parable of the

THOSE marriage supper?

INVITED TO



THE FEAST



"Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and

bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the

blind" (Luke 14:21).

"The Jews commonly supposed that persons suffering either

financially or physically were in ill favor with God, and thus

these classes were often despised and neglected by their fellow

men. . . . God, presumably, had cast them off, and society

therefore considered them outcasts also. In this parable Jesus

denies that such persons are despised by God, and declares

that they should not be despised by their fellow men, even when

their sufferings may be due to their own misdeeds or unwise

course of action. The poverty stricken and physically defective

here seem to represent primarily those who are morally and

spiritually bankrupt. They have no good works of their own to

offer God in exchange for the blessings of salvation."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 809.

What example did Jesus give us that illustrates perfectly

who are the "poor in spirit"? Luke 18:9-14.

"In the days of Christ the religious leaders of the people felt

that they were rich in spiritual treasure. The prayer of the

Pharisee, 'God, I thank Thee, that I am not as the rest of men'

(Luke 18:11, R.V.), expressed the feeling of his class and, to a

great degree, of the whole nation. But in the throng that sur-

rounded Jesus there were some who had a sense of their

spiritual poverty.... In these souls, Christ's words of greeting

awakened hope; they saw that their lives were under the bene-

diction of

God."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

pp.

6, 7.



THINK IT THROUGH



Am I able to judge myself, to know the feelings of my own

heart?

" 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately

wicked; who can know it?' Jer. 17:9. The lips may express a

poverty of soul that the heart does not acknowledge. While

speaking to God of poverty of spirit, the heart may be swelling

with the conceit of its own superior humility and exalted righ-

teousness. In one way only can a true knowledge of self be

obtained. We must behold Christ. It is ignorance of Him that

makes men so uplifted in their own righteousness. When we

contemplate His purity and excellence, we shall see our own

weakness and poverty and defects as they really

are."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

p. 159.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Two Worshipers," pp. 150-163.

)21

The Poor in Spirit

LESSON 2



❑

Thursday

October 9



Part 5



How did Christ's life exemplify His teachings on the subject

JESUS, of poverty?

OUR EXAMPLE

"Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he

was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through

his poverty might be rich" (2 Cor. 8:9).

"After Christ had condescended to leave His high command,

step down from an infinite height and assume humanity, He

could have taken upon Him any condition of humanity He might

choose. But greatness and rank were nothing to Him, and He

selected the lowest and most humble walk of life. The place of

His birth was Bethlehem, and on one side His parentage was

poor, but God, the owner of the world, was His Father.

"No trace of luxury, ease, selfish gratification, or indulgence

was brought into His life, which was a continual round of self-

denial and self-sacrifice. In accordance with His humble birth,

He had apparently no greatness or riches, in order that the

humblest believer need not say Christ never knew the stress of

pinching poverty. Had He possessed the semblance of outward

show, of riches, of grandeur, the poorest class of humanity

would have shunned His society; therefore He chose the lowly

condition of the far greater number of the people."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.

7, pp. 903, 904.

Where do we find the perfect example of humility? Phil.

2:5-8.

"For Paul, all spiritual life centers in Christ, and when he

wishes to inculcate lessons of unity and humility, he can find no

better method than to present, in outline form, the story of his

Master's career, as the supreme exemplification of the virtues

he desires the Philippians to possess. . . . Christ left a state of

inexpressible glory, took upon Himself the most humble form of

humanity, and performed the most lowly of offices, that men

might be saved. Christians are to frame their lives according to

this great example."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 154.



THINK IT THROUGH



What should we do to remain humble?

"In order to preserve humility, it would be well to remember

how we appear in the sight of a holy God, who reads every secret

of the soul, and how we should appear in the sight of our fellow

men if they all knew us as well as God knows us. For this reason,

to humble us, we are directed to confess our faults, and improve

this opportunity to subdue our

pride."—Testimonies,

vol. 3, p.

211.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

p. 477.

The Poor in Spirit

LESSON 2



❑

Friday

October 10

Part 6

THE PROMISE

OF THE KINGDOM

THINK IT THROUGH

What magnificent promise is made to them who feel spiritu-

ally poor?

"Their's is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3). (See also

James 2:5.)

"This kingdom is not, as Christ's hearers had hoped, a tem-

poral and earthly dominion. Christ was opening to men the

spiritual kingdom of His love, His grace, His righteousness. The

ensign of the Messiah's reign is distinguished by the likeness of

the Son of man. His subjects are the poor in spirit, the meek, the

persecuted for righteousness' sake. The kingdom of heaven is

theirs. Though not yet fully accomplished, the work is begun in

them which will make them 'meet to be partakers of the inheri-

tance of the saints in light.' Colossians

1:12."—Thoughts From

the Mount of Blessing,

p. 8.

From what kind of poverty do Laodicean Christians suffer?

Rev. 3:17, 18.

"It is difficult for those who feel secure in their attainments,

and who believe themselves to be rich in spiritual knowledge, to

receive the message which declares that they are deceived and

in need of every spiritual grace. The unsanctified heart is 'de-

ceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.' I was shown

that many are flattering themselves that they are good ChriS-

tians, who have not a ray of light from Jesus. They have not a

living experience for themselves in the divine life. They need a

deep and thorough work of self-abasement before God before

they will feel their true need of earnest, persevering effort to

secure the precious graces of the

Spirit."—Testimonies,

vol. 3,

p. 253.

Lord, anoint my eyes that I may see!

"Jesus had presented the cup of blessing to those who felt

that they were 'rich, and increased with goods' (Revelation

3:17), and had need of nothing, and they had turned with scorn

from the gracious gift. He who feels whole, who thinks that he is

reasonably good, and is contented with his condition, does not

seek to become a partaker of the grace and righteousness of

Christ. . . . Those who know that they cannot possibly save

themselves, or of themselves do any righteous action, are the

ones who appreciate the help that Christ can bestow. They are

the poor in spirit, whom He declares to be blessed."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 7.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 3, pp. 252-256.

LESSON 3 October 12-18

3.The Mourners

"Blessed are they that mourn: for

they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4).

"Blessed are ye that weep now: for

ye shall laugh" (Luke 6:21).

Jesus presents God's answer to the

problem of human suffering in the

second beatitude. Not by discussing

whether God is its author nor by

explaining why He permits it in our

lives and in our world, but simply by

promising us a sure consolation.

Actually Jesus was not satisfied

merely to give us an encouraging

word. He came "to fulfil what was

spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 'He

took our infirmities and bore our

diseases' " (Matt. 8:17, RSV). "A man

of sorrows, and acquainted with

grief" (Isa. 53:3), "He himself bore

our sins in his body on the tree, that

we might die to sin and live to

righteousness. By his wounds you

have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24,

RSV).

And furthermore, "Although he

was a Son, he learned obedience

through what he suffered" (Heb. 5:8,

RSV), proving by example the

sanctifying worth of the trials God

permits. In this life one will never

fully understand the role that

suffering plays in the perfecting of

character. "Faith, patience,

forbearance, heavenly-mindedness,

trust in your wise, heavenly Father,

are the perfect blossoms which

mature amidst clouds and

disappointments and

bereavements."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

S.D.A. Bible

Commentary, vol. 7,

p. 934.

"By themselves, suffering and

tribulation have no power to make

men Christlike. In fact, they make

many men morose and bitter. But

God sanctifies tribulation, and those

who find in Him grace and strength

to endure have solved one of the

great problems of life. .



In the

providence of God, tribulation and

sorrow can lead us closer to Him.

Should men not therefore praise

Him for tribulation and let it be a

steppingstone to the kingdom of

God?"—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 828.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Promise of Consolation and Joy

(Matt. 5:4; Luke 6:21)

Partakers of His Holiness

(Jer. 6:19)

Two Kinds of Sorrow

(2 Cor. 7:10)

Christ's Sorrow

(Luke 19:41; Matt. 26:36-38)

Grace to Suffer for Christ

(Phil. 1:29, 30)

Consolation and Hope

(2 Cor. 1:3-5)

The Mourners

LESSON 3



❑

Sunday

October 12

Part 1

PROMISE OF

CONSOLATION

AND JOY

What significance should be given to the mourning and

tears mentioned in the second beatitude?

"Blessed are those who mourn" (Matt. 5:4, RSV).

"Blessed are you that weep now" (Luke 6:21, RSV).

The close relationship between the first and second beati-

tudes should be considered. No one will deny the literal mean-

ing of the second beatitude. Our Lord demonstrated it, and,

moreover, He devoted the best of His ministry to the afflicted,

the sick, the unfortunate.

But this beatitude, like the first, finds full meaning when it is

applied to the spiritual life. "The mourning here brought to view

is true heart sorrow for

sin."—Thoughts From the Mount of

Blessing,

p. 9.

"The profound spiritual poverty of the 'poor in spirit' . . . is

matched by the deep mourning of the persons described in v. 4.

In fact, it is a deep sense of spiritual need that leads men to

`mourn' for the imperfection they see in their own lives. . . .

Christ here refers to those who, in poverty of spirit, long to reach

the standard of perfection (cf. Isa. 6:5; Rom. 7:24). There is a

message of comfort here also for those who mourn because of

disappointment, bereavement, or other sorrow."—S.D.A.

Bible

Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 325.

How is our Lord's promise to the afflicted realized both

today and in the future? Matt. 5:4; Luke 6:21.

As the poor and the underprivileged of this world place their

confidence in God's promises, there is and there will be conso-

lation for them. The hope of a better world comforts them now:

it is already a consolation for them, a source of joy. The parable

of the rich man and Lazarus teaches us that he who places his

confidence in God and patiently endures suffering in this world

will know the joy and happiness of God's children in the ages to

come. (See Luke 16:19-31.) But there is more!

"As God meets the sense of spiritual need with the riches of

the grace of heaven ... , so He meets the mourning over sin with

the comfort of sins forgiven. Except there be first a sense of

need, there will not be mourning for what one lacks—in this

case, righteousness of character. Mourning for sin is thus the

second requirement made of those who present themselves as

candidates for the kingdom of heaven, and follows naturally in

sequence after the first step."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol.

5, p. 325.

What other Bible texts teach the same truth as that of the

second beatitude? (See Jer. 31:13; Ps. 126:5, 6.)

The Desire of Ages,

p. 300.

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY



The Mourners



LESSON 3



❑

Monday

October 13



Part 2



What does the Bible teach concerning the afflictions of

PARTAKERS OF men?

HIS HOLINESS

"Hear, 0 earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people,

even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hear-

kened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it" (Jer. 6:19).

"No truth does the Bible more clearly teach than that what we

do is the result of what we are. To a great degree the experi-

ences of life are the fruition of our own thoughts and deeds.

" 'The curse causeless shall not come.' Proverbs 26:2. . . .

"Terrible is this truth, and deeply should it be impressed.

Every deed reacts upon the doer. Never a human being but may

recognize, in the evils that curse his life, fruitage of his own

sowing. Yet even thus we are not without

hope."—Education,

146.

What is God's purpose in permitting afflictions? And what is

their immediate effect on us? Heb. 12:10, 11.

God does not cause our misfortunes, but He does use them to

lead us back to Him, to teach, to correct, to educate, to sanctify

us. "Through affliction God reveals to us the plague spots in our

characters, that by His grace we may overcome our faults.

Unknown chapters in regard to ourselves are opened to us, and

the test comes, whether we will accept the reproof and the

counsel of God. When brought into trial, we are not to fret and

complain. We should not rebel, or worry ourselves out of the

hand of Christ. We are to humble the soul before God. The ways

of the Lord are obscure to him who desires to see things in a

light pleasing to himself. They appear dark and joyless to our

human nature. But God's ways are ways of mercy and the end is

salvation."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 301.



THINK IT THROUGH



How do you understand trials?

"The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the im-

purities and roughness from our character. Their hewing,

squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a

painful process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding

wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in

the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master

bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones

are polished after the similitude of a

palace."—Thoughts From

the Mount of Blessing,

p. 10.



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:4), pp. 9-13.

3-A.L. 4-80

The Mourners

LESSON 3



❑

Tuesday

October 14

Part 3

TWO KINDS

OF SORROW

What is the difference between godly sorrow and the sorrow

of the world?

"Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be

repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (2 Cor.

7:10).

"In 'godly sorrow' there is recognition and admission that one

has wronged God and his fellow men, adequate effort to right

the wrong, and a reorientation of the life with the purpose of

avoiding a repetition of the same mistakes. . .

" ... Worldly sorrow consists of regret for the consequences

of the sin rather than for the sin itself, and at being discredited

before the world and worldly friends (1 Sam. 15:30). Worldly

sorrow plays only upon the surface of the problem. It mounts no

higher than the man himself, and his own feelings. It leads to

future regret and to deeper distress. It fills the mind with discon-

tent, the heart with resentment and chagrin. It embitters and

shortens life. A person who truly repents will never regret hav-

ing done

so."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 884.

What biblical examples best illustrate the two kinds of sor-

row? Matt. 27:3-5; Luke 22:60-62.

"Perhaps the supreme illustration of the difference between

true and false sorrow for sin lies in the contrast between Peter

and Judas during the trial of Jesus. Both felt bitter remorse, but

with the one there was true sorrow for sin, which led to a new life

in Christ; with the other there was only sorrow for the conse-

quences, which led to utter despair and then suicide."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 884.

The original Greek makes a clear distinction between the

repentance of Peter, which was produced by godly sorrow, and

that of Judas. In the first example, the word

metanoia,

which is

used, denotes a change of mind, of goals, of direction—that is,

conversion. In the case of Judas, the word

metamelomai,

which

is employed, means regret, mere remorse.



THINK IT THROUGH



Have you experienced godly sorrow?

"Real sorrow for sin is the result of the working of the Holy

Spirit. The Spirit reveals the ingratitude of the heart that has

slighted and grieved the Saviour, and brings us in contrition to

the foot of the cross. By every sin Jesus is wounded afresh; and

as we look upon Him whom we have pierced, we mourn for the

sins that have brought anguish upon Him. Such mourning will

lead to the renunciation of sin."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 300.



FURTHER STUDY



Education,

pp. 88-93.



The Mourners



LESSON 3



❑

Wednesday

October 15



Part 4



What was the reason for Christ's sorrow?

CHRIST'S



SORROW



"When he drew near and saw the city he wept over it" (Luke

19:41, RSV).

"Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane ... he

began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My

soul is very sorrowful, even to death' " (Matt. 26:36-38, RSV).

(Compare Heb. 5:7, 8.)

Not all affliction and sadness are necessarily the direct con-

sequence of sin. The sufferings of Job, like those of Jesus, prove

this. Christ's sadness was indeed caused by sin, but not His

own. Jesus suffered because of the sins of others and of the

world. He was profoundly saddened by the callousness of the

Pharisees (Mark 3:5); He cried over Jerusalem, because of the

indifference of her children to the salvation God was offering

them, which they finally rejected.

"It was the sight of Jerusalem that pierced the heart of

Jesus—Jerusalem that had rejected the Son of God and

scorned His love, that refused to be convinced by His mighty

miracles, and was about to take His life. He saw what she was in

her guilt of rejecting her Redeemer, and what she might have

been had she accepted Him who alone could heal her wound.

He had come to save her; how could He give her

up?"—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 576.

The sadness experienced by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsem-

ane was caused by His dread of the death that brings about

complete separation from God. "Upon Him who knew no sin

must be laid the iniquity of us all. So dreadful does sin appear to

Him, so great is the weight of guilt which He must bear, that He is

tempted to fear it will shut Him out forever from His Father's

love. Feeling how terrible is the wrath of God against.transgres-

sion, He exclaims, 'My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto

death.'

"—The Desire of Ages,

p. 685.

What consoled Jesus in His sufferings? Heb. 12:2; Isa.

53:10, 11.

"He [Jesus] knew that He would live to see the results 'of the

travail of his soul,' and was 'satisfied' (Isa. 53:11). To share

eternity with the ransomed of all ages and the unfallen beings of

other worlds was a prospect that brought utter joy to our

Lord."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol. 7,

p. 482.



THINK IT THROUGH



"Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith....

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against

himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted"

(Heb. 12:2, 3, RSV).



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 685-690.



The Mourners



LESSON 3



❑

Thursday

October 16



Part 5



What special grace is promised to the believer in regard to

GRACE TO suffering?

SUFFER FOR



CHRIST



"Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to

believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same

conflict which ye saw in me" (Phil. 1:29, 30).

"Of all the gifts that heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship

with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the

highest honor. Not Enoch, who was translated to heaven, not

Elijah, who ascended in a chariot of.fire, was greater or more

honored than John the Baptist, who perished alone in the

dungeon."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 478.

"Faithful Christians, from apostolic times onward, have been

glad to suffer for the Master's sake (Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 3:14;

4:12-14). Those who face the trials of the last days must possess

that same true sense of values. Severe as were the tests of Peter

and his associates, they were little compared with those of the

last great times of trouble. Only one thoroughly persuaded that

it is the highest of honors and the greatest of blessings to be

permitted to suffer for Christ's sake will persevere through

times when the unrestrained fury of Satan is unleashed."—

S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 150.

How should a Christian consider participation in Christ's

sufferings? 1 Peter 4:12-16; Col. 1:24.

Following Christ's example, the Christian should patiently,

victoriously endure the trials of the present life, when their goal

is the advancement of God's work on earth. It is therefore an

honor and a source of joy to share the sufferings of Christ for His

body, which is His church. Like Jesus, who did it "for the joy that

was set before him" (Heb. 12:2), His disciple will do it in antici-

pation of the joy and gladness that are reserved for the day when

Jesus shall appear in His glory. (See 1 Peter 4:13.)



THINK IT THROUGH



A thought to ponder daily: What does sharing in the work of

Christ mean to you?

"Blessed are they also who weep with Jesus in sympathy with

the world sorrow and in sorrow for its sin. In such mourning

there is intermingled no thought of self.... All who are followers

of Christ will share in this experience. As they partake of His love

they will enter into His travail for the saving of the lost. They

share in the sufferings of Christ, and they will share also in the

glory that shall be revealed. One with Him in His work, drinking

with Him the cup of sorrow, they are partakers also of His

joy."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

pp. 12, 13.



FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 46-48.

The Mourners

LESSON 3



❑

Friday

October 17

Part 6



What assurance should be ours in all our trials? And, in turn,

CONSOLATION what ministry has been entrusted to us?

AND HOPE

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us

in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those

who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we our-

selves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in

Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in

comfort too" (2 Cor. 1:3-5, RSV).

These words renew the assurance given by Jesus in the sec-

ond beatitude—consolation for the Christian in each of his

trials. Through Jesus, God provided "the consolation of Israel"

(Luke 2:25). By His Spirit He still makes provision for "all our

affliction" (2 Cor. 1:4, RSV).

Moreover, he who knows this comfort through experience

with his God is, in turn, able to sympathize with a suffering

brother and, in God's name, to minister consolation to him.

What relationship did Paul establish between affliction and

hope? Rom. 5:3-5.

"Patient endurance of tribulation tests, confirms, and refines

the Christian's faith. Out of this comes ever more confident

hope. It is the believer's initial hope of sharing in the glory of

God (see v. 2) that nerves him to endure in the first place. And as

he continues to endure, he gains a steady, calm assurance.

Hope and faith grow as they are tested and exercised. . . . The

experience of Job illustrates how the severe discipline of

character can strengthen the faith and hope of a sincere

believer."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 525.

What marvelous comfort is offered to those who await the

restoration of all things? Rev. 7:17; 21:4.



•

"This earth is the place of preparation for heaven. The time

spent here is the Christian's winter. Here the chilly winds of

affliction blow upon us, and the waves of trouble roll against us.

But in the near future, when Christ comes, sorrow and sighing

will be forever ended. Then will be the Christian's summer. All

trials will be over, and there will be no more sickness or death.

'God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be

no more death,• neither sorrow, nor crying .. . : for the former

things are passed away.' "—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 988.

THINK IT THROUGH



How should we evaluate suffering and trial? (See Rom. 8:18;

2 Cor. 4:17, 18.)

LESSON 4 October 19-25

40The

'©1

"Blessed are the meek: for they

shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5).

"Throughout the Beatitudes there

is an advancing line of Christian

experience. Those who have felt

their need of Christ, those who have

mourned because of sin and have sat

with Christ in the school of affliction,

will learn meekness from the divine

Teacher."—Thoughts

From the

Mount of Blessing,

pp. 13, 14.

In all the Scriptures God speaks

with special affection of those who

are gentle in character. Tenderly He

encourages them with precious

promises and then presents them to

us as our ensamples. After the meek

gain the victory over self, they take

possession of the kingdom which

God has prepared for them.

Let us join Ellen White, a great

pioneer of the remnant church, in

her entreaty: "Give me immortal

worth. Let me grasp the golden chain

that is let down from heaven to earth,

and let it draw me up to God and

glory. This is my ambition; this is my

aim.... Let me be clothed with that

meek and quiet spirit which is in the

sight of God of great price. And I

recommend it to you, ydung

gentlemen and ladies, for it is more

precious in His sight than the gold of

Ophir. It is this which makes a man

more precious than fine gold, even a

man than the golden wedge of

Ophir."—Testimonies,

vol. 2, p. 593.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Need of a Definition

(Matt. 5:5)

Jesus, Model of Meekness

(Matt. 11:28, 29)

From Violence to Meekness

(Num. 12:3)

A Priceless Virtue

(1 Peter 3:3, 4)

To Be Christlike

(Phil. 2:5; Col. 3:12; Eph. 4:1, 2)

Seek Meekness

(Phil. 4:5)

The Meek

LESSON 4



❑

Sunday

October 19



Part 1



In the third beatitude what spiritual virtue is held in high

NEED OF A esteem?

DEFINITION

"Blessed are the meek" (Matt. 5:5).

The Hebrew word

anaw

and its Greek equivalent praus are not

always translated in the same way. Modern languages give the

word

meek

an implied meaning of "mousy," "tame," ''timid,"

"docile"; so today meekness often suggests weakness or a lack

of strength of character. To understand this beatitude we

should note the meaning of the word

meek.

"A distillation of inspired definition would seem to charac-

terize meekness as an absence of self-seeking and a presence

of self-forgetfulness. It is 'government of self'

(Testimonies,

vol.

4, p. 348), 'a calm and trustful spirit,' lowliness of heart'

(The

Desire of Ages,

p. 301), 'the ornament of God's own choice'

(The

Sanctified Life,

p. 16). Meekness, then, is an inward calm and

peace of mind that shows itself in outward gracious, courteous,

kind, and friendly behavior. It has been termed 'an attitude of

mind and heart that prepares the way for sanctification.' "—

J. M. Lien,

Review and Herald,

August 16, 1973.

How should we interpret the promise made to the meek?

Matt. 5:5.

Through the psalmist God promised the earth to the meek

(Ps. 37:11). Daniel said it is "the kingdom under the whole

heaven" that "shall be given to the people of the saints of the

most High" (Dan. 7:27). But the earth promised by Jesus is

above all the earth restored, "a new earth, wherein dwelleth

righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13).

Another interpretation, however, should not be excluded. Is

not self-control the first victory gained by the meek? As gentle-

ness of character naturally conquers hearts, it works itself into

another's favor more effectively than does force or talent. That

is why gentleness must characterize the peaceful conquerors

whom Jesus sends into the world to prepare it for His kingdom.



THINK IT THROUGH



According to this definition of gentleness, what is the first

weakness every Christian must overcome?

"Human nature is ever struggling for expression, ready for

contest; but he who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride,

of love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul. Self is

yielded to the disposal of the Holy

Spirit."—Thoughts From the

Mount of Blessing,

p. 15.



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:5), pp. 13-18.

The Meek

LESSON 4



❑

Monday

October 20



Part 2



From whom can we learn meekness best?

JESUS,



MODEL OF



"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I

MEEKNESS will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for

I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your

souls" (Matt. 11:28, 29).

Jesus not only teaches truth; He

truth. Whatever He

teaches, He lived; what He asks His hearers to become, He

Himself is. That is why He can invite men to come to Him, the

One who is "meek and lowly in heart." The source of His gentle-

ness and His humility is in Himself, in His heart, a heart filled

with devotion and compassion for mankind (Matt. 9:36).

"We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him

meekness and lowliness. Redemption is that process by which

the soul is trained for heaven. This training means a knowledge

of Christ."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 330.

What event in the life of Christ, announced by the prophet

Zechariah, especially illustrates His gentleness and His

humility? Matt. 21:4, 5.

"Through all the lowly experiences of life He consented to

pass, walking among the children of men, not as a king, to

demand homage, but as one whose mission it was to serve

others. There was in His manner no taint of bigotry, no cold

austerity. The world's Redeemer had a greater than angelic

nature, yet united with His divine majesty were meekness and

humility that attracted all to Himself."—Thoughts

From the

Mount of Blessing,

p. 14.

"In this one triumphant scene [triumphal ride into Jerusalem]

of His earthly life, the Saviour might have appeared,escorted by

heavenly angels, and heralded by the trump of God; but such a

demonstration would have been contrary to the purpose of His

mission, contrary to the law which had governed His life. He

remained true to the humble lot He had accepted. The burden of

humanity He must bear until His life was given for the life of the

world."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 571.



THINK IT THROUGH



What was the principal object of Jesus' teaching? What

should be our chief concern?

"He [Jesus] said nothing to gratify curiosity or to stimulate

selfish ambition. He did not deal in abstract theories, but in that

which is essential to the development of character; that which

will enlarge man's capacity for knowing God, and increase his

power to do good. He spoke of those truths that relate to the

conduct of life and that unite man with eternity."—Education, p.



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 328-332.

The Meek

LESSON 4



❑

Tuesday

October 21



Part 3



What do we know about Moses as a young man? And what

FROM do the Scriptures testify concerning him in later life? Num.

VIOLENCE 12:3.

TO MEEKNESS

"Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and

was mighty in words and in deeds" (Acts 7:22).

Moses was not naturally a meek man. (See Ex. 2:11-14.) Con-

vinced that he was to be the liberator of the Israelites, he sought

to obtain their liberation by force of arms.

"In the military schools of Egypt, Moses was taught the law of

force, and so strong a hold did this teaching have upon his

character that it required forty years of quiet and communion

with God and nature to fit him for the leadership of Israel by the

law of

love."—Education,

p. 65.

"There were other lessons that, amid the solitude of the

mountains, Moses was to receive. In the school of self-denial

and hardship he was to learn patience, to temper his passions."

—Patriarchs and Prophets,

p. 247.

What testimony did the apostle Paul bear concerning the

transformation of his character? 1 Tim. 1:12, 13; Acts 8:3;

26:9-11; 2 Tim. 3:10.

Note, first, some of the expressions that Paul used to describe

his character before conversion: "blasphemer," "persecutor,"

"injurious," "extremely zealous." "I persecuted the church of

God violently and tried to destroy it" (Gal. 1:13, RSV). In the book

of Acts, Luke points out the same brutality: "Saul was ravaging

the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men

and women and committed them to prison" (8:3, RSV). In his

discourse before King Agrippa, Paul declared: "I myself was

convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name

of Jesus of Nazareth . . . ; I . . . shut up many of the saints in

prison, ... and I punished them often in all the synagogues and

tried to make them blaspheme; and in raging fury against them,

I persecuted them" (Acts 26:9-11, RSV).

Several years later this same Paul, who had become an im-

itator of Christ, wrote: "When reviled, we bless; when perse-

cuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate" (1 Cor.

4:12, 13, RSV). Then, as he faced death, Paul again said of

himself, and charged his closest co-worker to bear him witness:

"You have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my

faith, my patience, my love" (2 Tim. 3:10, RSV).



THINK IT THROUGH



Although the transformation of life is not so spectacular as

that of Moses or Paul, the goal before you is the same. "I urge

you, then, be imitators of me" (1 Cor. 4:16, RSV).



FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 245-248;

The Acts of the Apos-

tles,

pp. 119-121.

The Meek

LESSON 4



Wednesday

October 22

Part 4

A PRICE-

LESS VIRTUE

THINK IT THROUGH

What did the apostle Peter write of meekness?

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plait-

ing the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not

corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Peter 3:3, 4).

"Meekness is the inward adorning, which God estimates as of

great price. The apostle speaks of this as more excellent and

valuable than gold or pearls or costly array. While the outward

adorning beautifies only the mortal body, the ornament of

meekness adorns the soul and connects finite man with the

infinite God. This is the ornament of God's own choice. He who

garnished the heavens with the orbs of light has by the same

Spirit promised that 'he will beautify the meek with salvation'

(Ps. 149:4). Angels of heaven will register as best adorned those

who put on the Lord Jesus Christ and walk with Him in meek-

ness and lowliness of mind."—The

Sanctified Life,

p. 16.

What recommendation does Paul make to every man of God

concerning the fruit of the Spirit, of which meekness is a part?

Gal. 5:22, 23; 1 Tim. 6:11.

"Meekness in the school of Christ is one of the marked fruits

of the Spirit. It is a grace wrought by the Holy Spirit as a

sanctifier, and enables its possessor at all times to control a

rash and impetuous temper. When the grace of meekness is

cherished by those who are naturally sour or hasty in disposi-

tion, they will put forth the most earnest efforts to subdue their

unhappy temper. Every day they will gain self-control, until that

which is unlovely and unlike Jesus is conguered."—The

Sancti-

fied Life,

p. 15.

To what length should we go to acquire this virtue, which is

of such great value in God's eyes?

"The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of

meekness. When this grace presides in the soul, the disposition

is molded by its influence. There is a continual waiting upon

God and a submission of the will to His. The understanding

grasps every divine truth, and the will bows to every divine

precept, without doubting or murmuring. True meekness sof-

tens and subdues the heart and gives the mind a fitness for the

engrafted word. It brings the thoughts into obedience to Jesus

Christ."—The

Sanctified Life,

pp. 14, 15.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 4, p. 348.

The Meek

LESSON 4



❑

Thursday

October 23

Part 5



In what words did Paul exhort us to be meek and humble like

TO BE Jesus?

CHRISTLIKE

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus"

(Phil. 2:5).

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,

compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience"

(Col. 3:12, RSV).

"I therefore ... beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to

which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness"

(Eph. 4:1, 2, RSV).

"To man is granted the privilege of becoming an heir of God

and a joint heir with Christ. To those who have been thus

exalted, are unfolded the unsearchable riches of Christ, which

are of a thousandfold more value than the wealth of the world.

Thus, through the merits of Jesus Christ, finite man is elevated

to fellowship with God and with His dear Son."—The

Sanctified

Life,

p. 17.

How is gentleness manifest in the life of a child of God?

By receiving "with meekness the implanted word, which is

able to save your souls" (James 1:21, RSV).

By his treatment of others: "shewing all meekness unto all

men" (Titus 3:2).

By his manner of petitioning his fellowmen: "Now I Paul

myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ"

(2 Cor. 10:1).

By his manner of instructing souls in the truth: "Exhort with

great patience and instruction" (2 Tim. 4:2, NASB).

By the way he corrects his adversaries: "Correcting his

opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they

will repent and come to know the truth" (2 Tim. 2:25, RSV).

THINK IT THROUGH

In order to do God's work, it is necessary to be Christlike in

spirit and to act with the same graciousness that He man-

ifested at all times.

"The value of our work does not consist in making a loud

noise in the world, in being zealous, eager, and active in our

own strength. The value of our work is in proportion to the

impartation of the Holy Spirit. The value of our work comes

through trust in God, which brings holier qualities of mind, so

that in patience we may possess our souls.... The cause of God

is best advanced by those who are meek and lowly in heart."—

Evangelism,

p. 631.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

354.

The Meek

LESSON 4



❑

Friday

October 24

Part 6



How is the Christian most effective in making Christ known

SEEK to the world?

MEEKNESS

"Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand"

(Phil. 4:5, RSV).

Throughout all ages the true strength of Christianity has been

in the love that men manifest one toward another. Not only love

for those who love us, or for our neighbor, but also for our

enemies. (See Matt. 5:43-46.) "How they love one another!" was

the testimony that people bore concerning the first Christians. It

is also what the world should be able to say of the church

entrusted with the proclamation of God's last message for a

doomed world.

"Those who claim to believe in Christ are to represent Christ

in deeds of kindness and mercy. Such will never know until the

day of judgment what good they have done in seeking to follow

the example of the Saviour."—Welfare

Ministry.

p. 86.

"If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and

courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one

hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only

one."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, p. 189.

What exhortation did Zephaniah address especially to

those who were then living on the eve of God's day of wrath?

Zeph. 2:1-3.

"It is not sinners who are here addressed, but all the meek of

the earth, who have wrought His judgments or kept His com-

mandments. There is work for everyone, and if all will obey, we

shall see sweet union in the ranks of Sabbathkeepers."—

Testimonies, vol.

1, p. 426. '

"You need to learn of Jesus, who is meek and lowly of heart,

and then you will obtain rest.... You need to humble your heart

before God, and seek meekness and righteousness, that you

may be hid in the day of the Lord's fierce

anger."—Testimonies,

vol. 2, p. 222.

THINK IT THROUGH

What do you consider to be the strongest evidence of Chris-

tian nobility?

"The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control.

He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and

trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own

perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that

gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their

connection with the courts above."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 301.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 622, 623.

LESSON 5 October 26 to November 1

5.Those T

Hunger a

d 'Mint

"Blessed are those who hunger

and thirst for righteousness, for they

shall be satisfied" (Matt. 5:6, RSV).

With each beatitude the character

of a true disciple of Christ is

portrayed more clearly. Each, in turn,

sheds light upon a different facet of

Christian character.

Rare is the man who does not

hunger and thirst after

righteousness. In the evil world in

which we live the unsatisfied are

legion. Many are they who,

consciously or unconsciously, feel

the inner emptiness of human misery

and suffer from a kind of soul

sickness. Surely the hungering and

thirsting after righteousness has

never been greater than it is today.

In speaking of the signs that are to

take place just before the coming of

our Lord in glory, the prophet Amos

foretold a spiritual famine: "not a

famine of bread, nor a thirst for

water, but of hearing the words of

the Lord" (Amos 8:11, RSV). And,

despite the Master's proMise, the

prophet specified further: "In that

day the fair virgins and the young

men shall faint for thirst" (verse 13,

RSV), because they have not drunk at

the only Source able to quench their

thirst.

It is not enough to hunger and

thirst after righteousness in order to

be filled. One still must go to Him

who has been "made unto us

wisdom, and righteousness, and

sanctification, and redemption"

(1 Cor. 1:30). Being the only

Righteous One, He alone is able to

invite men to come and drink at the

Source of the water of life freely (Rev.

22:17).

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Hungering and Thirsting for

Righteousness

(Matt. 5:6)

The Righteousness of God

(Matt. 6:33)

Christ Our Righteousness

(Rom. 3:21-24)

Justified by Grace

(Luke 15:3-7)

Justification Taught in Parables

(Luke 15:11-32)

Righteousness and the Kingdom

of Heaven

(Matt. 5:20)

Those That Hunger and Thirst

LESSON 5



❑

Sunday

October 26



Part 1



What is the meaning of the word "righteousness" as used in

HUNGERING AND the fourth beatitude?

THIRSTING FOR



RIGHTEOUSNESS



"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righ-

teousness" (Matt. 5:6).

"In every instance of its use in the NT (94

times) dikaiosune

translated 'righteousness.' Among the Greeks 'righteousness'

consisted in conformity to accepted customs. To the Jews it was

essentially a matter of conformity to the requirements of the law

as interpreted by Jewish tradition. (See Gal. 2:16-21.) But for

Christ's followers, righteousness took on a broader meaning.

Instead of going about to establish their own righteousness,

Christians were called to submit 'themselves unto the righ-

teousness of God' (Rom. 10:3). They sought for the righteous-

ness 'which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness

which is of God by faith' (Phil.

3:9)."—S.D.A. Bible Commen-

tary,

vol. 5, p. 326.

What assurance does Jesus give to all who hunger and

thirst for righteousness? Matt. 5:6.

This metaphor was especially meaningful to Christ's hearers,

most of whom had experienced hunger and thirst at one time or

another. Moreover, no word could have been more pleasing to

their ears than the promise of righteousness at a time when

Israel was awaiting the advent of the Messiah with the hope that

He would deliver them from their yoke of bondage, establish

righteousness, and administer law over all people.

"Only those who long for righteousness with the eager anxi-

ety of a man starving for lack of food or famishing for want of

water, will find it. No earthly source can satisfy the hunger and

thirst of the soul, whether it be material riches, profound

philosophies, the satisfaction of physical appetites, or honor

and power. After experimenting with all of these things, Sol-

omon concluded that 'all is vanity.'

"—S.D.A. Bible Commen-

tary,

vol. 5, p. 326.



THINK IT THROUGH



Under what condition can we appropriate the Master's prom-

ise to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness?

"The sense of unworthiness will lead the heart to hunger and

thirst for righteousness, and this desire will not be disap-

pointed. Those who make room in their hearts for Jesus will

realize His love. All who long to bear the likeness of the charac-

ter of God shall be satisfied."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 302.



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:6), pp. 18-21.

Those That Hunger and Thirst

LESSON 5



❑

Monday

October 27

Part 2

THE RIGH-

TEOUSNESS

OF GOD

What righteousness does Jesus invite us to seek above all

other things?

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).

The righteousness of God should be the constant concern of

the Christian. There are pagans who seek only the com-

monplace needs of daily life; that is, they are blind to the true

reality of life, ignorant of God and of His redemptive act. He who

hungers and thirsts after righteousness will never be satisfied

until he finds true righteousness, the righteousness of God in

the person of Jesus Christ.

"The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive

righteousness by receiving Him.

"Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or

sacrifice, is righteousness obtained; but it is freely given to

every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it.... 'This is His

name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGH-

TEOUSNESS.' Jeremiah

23:6."—Thoughts From the Mount of

Blessing,

p. 18.

According to the prophet Daniel, what type of righteousness

would the

Messiah bring to earth? Dan. 9:24.

"Men will learn of the reconciliation for iniquity and of the

everlasting righteousness which the Messiah has brought in

through His sacrifice. The cross of Calvary is the great center.

This truth acted upon will make Christ's sacrifice effectual. This

is that which Gabriel revealed to Daniel in answer to fervent

prayer. It was of this that Moses and Elijah and Christ talked at

His transfiguration. By the humiliation of the crass He was to

bring everlasting deliverance to all who would walk after Him,

giving positive evidence that they are separated from the

world."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

•

vol. 4, pp. 1172, 1173.



THINK IT THROUGH



The truth of "everlasting righteousness" is also the heart

(center) of "the everlasting gospel."

"The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one

end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This

is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel."—

Testimonies,

vol. 6, p. 19.



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 2, pp. 265, 266.

4-A.L. 4-80

Those That Hunger and Thirst

LESSON 5



❑

Tuesday

October 28



Part 3



How does the believer receive the righteousness of God?

CHRIST OUR



RIGHTEOUSNESS



"Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart

from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it,

the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all

who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace

as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus"

(Rom. 3:21-24, RSV).

"When in love and gratitude the believer in Jesus commits

himself without reservation to the mercy and will of God, the

righteousness of justification is imputed to him. And as he

continues daily in this experience of trust, surrender, and fel-

lowship, his faith increases, enabling him to receive more and

more of the imparted righteousness of sanctification."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 502.

What is the goal of righteousness by faith? Rom. 6:18, 19.

"The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of

sin; it means taking away our sins, and filling the vacuum with

the graces of the Holy Spirit.... When Christ reigns in the soul,

there is purity, freedom from sin. The glory, the fullness, the

completeness of the gospel plan is fulfilled in the life."—

Christ's Object Lessons,

pp. 419, 420.

"God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, so that men

might be enabled fully to comply with the righteous require-

ments of His holy law. To bring man's life into harmony with the

divine will is the purpose of the plan of salvation. God did not

give His Son in order to change or abolish His law, or to release

men from the necessity of perfect obedience. The law has al-

ways stood as an expression of the unchangeable will and

character of God. Fallen man has been unable to obey its re-

quirements, and the law has possessed no power to strengthen

him to obey. But now Christ has come to make it possible for

man to render perfect obedience."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 562.



THINK IT THROUGH



Do I understand the difference between imputed and im-

parted righteousness?

FURTHER STUDY

"The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the

righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first

is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven."—

Messages to Young People,

p. 35.

Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

art.

"This Is Justification by Faith," vol. 6, pp. 1070, 1071.

Those That Hunger and Thirst

LESSON 5



❑

Wednesday

October 29



Part 4



In the parable of the lost sheep, who is the seeker? What

JUSTIFIED does this teach about salvation? Luke 15:3-7.

BY GRACE

The parable of the lost sheep teaches clearly that God calls

after man while he is still lost and that all Heaven rejoices when a

single sinner repents. Jesus affirmed this truth when He said,

"The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was

lost" (Luke 19:10).

The lost man, like the lost sheep, can never find his way to

God of himself, neither by his intelligence or through force of

will. That is why, while we are still His enemies, God reconciles

us to Himself "by the death of his Son" (Rom. 5:10). "In this was

manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his

only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through

him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us,

and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:9,

10).

What is the central truth of the parable of the Pharisee and

the publican? of the great debtor? Luke 18:9-14; Matt. 18:23-

35.

The parable of the Pharisee and the publican aptly illustrates

the fact that justification is possible only through faith and not

by works. Full of self-righteousness, the Pharisee was not

among those who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of

God. His numerous works, so he thought, were sufficient for

him. The publican, on the contrary, counted only on God's

mercy when he prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke

18:13). In conclusion Jesus affirmed: "This man went down to

his house justified rather than the other" (verse 14).

The parable of the great debtor teaches that salvation is free.

Like that servant, the sinner is incapable of repaying his debt to

God. Having called upon God's patience, like the king in the

parable, our Lord is "moved with compassion" and has forgiven

his debt (Matt. 18:27).



THINK IT THROUGH



We are not saved

good works but

for

good works.

"By

grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not

your own, doing, it is the gift of God—not because of works, lest

any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in

Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand,

that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:8-10, RSV).



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"This Man Receiveth Sinners" (The

Lost Sheep), pp. 186-192.

Those That Hunger and Thirst

LESSON 5



❑

Thursday

October 30



Part 5



How does the parable of the prodigal son illustrate both the

JUSTIFICATION fourth beatitude and the doctrine of imputed righteousness?



TAUGHT IN



Luke 15:11-32.

PARABLES

Jesus never employed the expressions "justification by faith"

or "imputed" and "imparted righteousness." Instead of

theological expressions, which are always abstract and some-

times obscure, Jesus used concrete, living lessons that every-

one could understand. In this way the parable of the prodigal

son wonderfully illustrates the doctrine of imputed righteous-

ness. The prodigal son experienced physical and spiritual

hunger as a consequence of his foolish behavior, and this led

him to repentance. He also experienced the joy of having his

father satisfy his needs with blessings and kindness. How well

this account depicts the sinner's dependence upon God for

both his title to heaven and his fitness for it.

By the "best robe" is symbolized God's imputing of Christ's

righteousness to man in response to his faith in God's pardon of

his sins.

In what way does the parable of the marriage feast teach

the doctrine of imparted righteousness? Matt. 22:1-14.

"The parable of the wedding garment opens before us a

lesson of the highest consequence. By the marriage is repre-

sented the union of humanity with divinity; the wedding gar-

ment represents the character which all must possess who shall

be accounted fit guests for the wedding."—Christ's

Object Les-

sons,

p. 307.

"By His perfect obedience He [Christ] has made it possible for

every human being to obey God's commandments. When we

submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the

will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind,

the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life.

This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His

righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the

fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His

own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the

law of

Jehovah."—Christ's Object Lessons,

p. 312.



THINK IT THROUGH



Both imputed and imparted righteousness are acts of God's

grace.

"We have nothing in ourselves of which to boast. We have no

ground for self-exaltation. Our only ground of hope is in the

righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and in that wrought by

His Spirit working in and through

us."—Steps to Christ,

p. 63.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Lost and Is Found," pp. 198-211.

Those That Hunger and Thirst

LESSON 5



Friday

October 31



Part 6



What solemn warning did Jesus give His disciples to put

RIGHTEOUSNESS them on guard against a false interpretation of the righteous-

AND THE KINGDOM ness of God?

OF HEAVEN

"I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the

scribes and Pharisees, you will never

enter the kingdom of

heaven" (Matt. 5:20, RSV).

Jesus did not abolish His law, nor did He release His disciples

from the obligation to observe it. Instead, He enlarged upon its

requirements. Christians, generally speaking, believe that

Christianity is an easing ofJudaism. They are pleased to seta

religion of love and pardon up over a religion of stern justice;

they even go so far as to speak of the Jewish law as being in

opposition to Christian grace, as if salvation by grace releases a

person from obedience to God's law.

Far from making void the law, faith establishes it (Rom. 3:31),

and grace makes its observance possible (Rom. 8:4), not simply

according to the letter of the law, but in its spirit. This is possible

because God writes His law in the heart (1-leb. 8:10). He requires

more than formal observance of its requirements. The scribes

and Pharisees viewed the demands of the law as resting upon

acts and deeds, but Jesus' requirements plumb the very secret

intents of the heart. Our Lord requires more, not less, from

those who are candidates for His kingdom.

What characterizes the kingdom of heaven, according to

the promises found in the Word of God? 2 Peter 3:13.

Righteousness will not be fully realized until the return of our

Lord Jesus Christ. Then will be manifest "the righteous judg-

ment of God; who will render to every man according to his

deeds" (Rom. 2:5, 6).

In that day those who hunger for the righteousness of God will

be fully satisfied. They will be ushered into "a new earth,

wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13). "And there

shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither

whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they

which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Rev. 21:27).



THINK IT THROUGH



,For what reason did God give us the Scriptures with their

commands and promises?

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching,

for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good

work" (2 Tim. 3:16, 17, RSV).



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 584-586.

LESSON 6 November 2-8

6.71

ile Men]111111

"Blessed are the merciful: for they

shall obtain mercy" (Matt. 5:7).

The preceding beatitude (Matt.

5:6) referred to the moral character

of an individual. It affirmed that a

soul hungering and thirsting to see

right prevail would be abundantly

filled.

The fifth beatitude, the subject of

this week's lesson study, confronts

the Christian with his obligation

toward his neighbor, because it is

impossible to be merciful without

sharing with another what God

Himself has in mercy given him. He

who has been filled must in turn

nourish those who hunger and thirst

in this world in which we live. "Freely

ye have received, freely give" (Matt.

10:8) is the Lord's mandate to His

disciples.

Jesus Himself is our great Example,

the supreme manifestation of divine

mercy. "See what love the Father has

given us, that we should be called

children of God; and so we are"

(1 John 3:1, RSV). "In this is love, not

that we loved God but that he loved

us and set his Son to be the expiation

for our sins" (1 John 4:10, RSV).

This love embraces all humanity.

"In making all mankind prisoners to

disobedience, God's purpose was to

show mercy to all mankind" (Rom.

11:32, NEB). God's mercy knows no

limit except the callousness of the

sinner's heart. The promise is

certain; every man who, following

our Lord's example, shows himself

merciful will obtain mercy.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The merciful

(Matt. 5:7)

God Is Merciful

(Ex. 34:6, 7)

Jesus, •Merciful High Priest

(John 3:16)

In•the Likeness of Our Heavenly

Father

(Luke 6:36)

Forgiven As.We Forgive

(Matt. 6:12, 14, 15)

In the Day of Judgment

(James 2:12, 13)

The Merciful

LESSON 6



Sunday

November 2



Part 1



In the fifth beatitude who are described as being recipients

THE MERCIFUL of God's blessing?

"Blessed are the merciful" (Matt. 5:7).

Current language identifies mercy with compassion or par-

don. To give this word all the richness of meaning given it in the

Bible, one must add the ideas of active kindness, graciousness,

tender pity, and, above all, fidelity. Actually, for the Bible writers,

mercy is the coming together of two currents of thought—

compassion and faithfulness: God's compassion toward

men—His people—and fidelity to Himself and to His alliance.

The merciful, then, are those who follow the example of their

heavenly Father and show compassion toward their neighbor,

whoever he might be, and who are faithful in their obligations

toward God.

How must we understand the promise that Jesus made to

the merciful? Matt. 5:7; 7:12.

God promises that whoever is merciful will obtain mercy

himself. Jesus also illustrated this principle in several of His

parables.

This promise is sure in that which concerns God's attitude

toward us. The child of Gad can experience it every day of his

life. But in small measure this principle is also verified in men's

relationships with one another.

"The principle of the golden rule (ch. 7:12) applies both to our

treatment of others and to the kind of treatment they accord us

in return. The cruel, hardhearted, mean-spirited man rarely re-

ceives kind and merciful treatment at the hand of his fellow

man. But how often those who are kind and considerate of the

needs and feelings of others find that the world often repays

them in kind."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 327.



THINK IT THROUGH



What does it mean to be merciful in our everyday life?

"God imparts His blessing to us that we may impart to others.

When we ask him for our daily bread, He looks into our hearts to

see if we will share the same with those more needy than our-

selves. When we pray, 'God be merciful to me a sinner,' He

watches to see if we will manifest compassion toward those

with whom we associate. This is tree evidence of our connection

with God, that we are merciful even as our Father in heaven is

merciful."—Testimonies,

vol. 6, pp. 283, 284.



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:7), pp. 21-24.

The Merciful

LESSON 6



❑

Monday

November 3

Part 2

GOD IS

MERCIFUL

THINK IT THROUGH

In what terms does God reveal the very essence of His

character to us?

"The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, 'The Lord,

the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and

abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping stead-

fast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression

and sin" (Ex. 34:6, 7, RSV).

MoseS had already received a revelation of divine transcen-

dency, when God appeared to him in the burning bush. At that

time God revealed His name: "I AM THAT I AM" (Ex. 3:14). At the

time of this second manifestation God revealed to Moses—and

through him to all His children—the very essence of His charac-

ter, infinitely "merciful and gracious." All the words used in this

disclosure tend to underline the infinite goodness of God

toward sinful man. The circumstances under which this revela-

tion was made further emphasize His merciful character. It was

as if it were God's response to the infidelity of the children of

Israel, who had just made a golden calf to worship, and to the

righteous anger of Moses (Ex. 32, 33).

In reality God had already revealed this trait of character when

He wrote His law on the tables of stone that Moses had just

broken. There He stated (in the third commandment), "I the

Lord thy God am a jealous God, . . . shewing mercy unto

thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments"

(Ex. 20:5, 6).

Note these Bible texts which show that the authors took

pleasure in emphasizing the merciful character of God: Neh.

9:17, 31; Ps. 86:15; Joel 2:13; James 5:11.

Actually the whole Bible repeats again and again the thought,

"Father of mercies," as the apostle Paul called Him. (See 2 Cor.

1:3.) The authors of the psalms were particularly happy to sing

of the unfathomable mercy of God, unto which they never

ceased to appeal. They discerned it everywhere, operating

throughout all the history of the children of Israel. Even in His

acts they discovered that "the Lord is merciful and gracious"

(Ps. 103:7, 8).

Not only is God "rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he

loved us" (Eph. 2:4), as the apostle Paul wrote, but the prophet

Micah states, He even "delighteth in mercy" (Micah 7:18).

(Compare Matt. 12:7.)

To what degree does your personal experience allow you to

declare with the psalmist: "All the paths of the Lord are stead-

fast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant

and his testimonies" (Ps. 25:10, RSV)?

FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"God's Love for Man," pp. 9-15.

The Merciful

LESSON 6



❑

Tuesday

November 4



Part 3



What is the preeminent manifestation of God's infinite

JESUS, mercy?

MERCIFUL



HIGH PRIEST



"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten

Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but

have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

"None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption;

for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare

Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God

could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice

made by Christ in behalf of fallen man could express the Fa-

ther's love to lost humanity."—Steps

to Christ,

p. 14.

How did Jesus give'evidence of God's mercy in His life and

teaching? Luke 4:18, 19; 19:10; Matt. 5:44.

"This was His work. He went about doing good and healing all

that were oppressed by Satan. There were whole villages where

there was not a moan of sickness in any house, for He had

passed through them and healed all their sick. His work gave

evidence of His divine anointing. Love, mercy, and compassion

were revealed in every act of His life."—Steps

to Christ,

pp. 11,

12.

What was conferred on Jesus in preparation for His high

priesthood in the heavenly sanctuary? Why? Heb. 2:17, 18;

4:14-16.

"Jesus consented to take human nature, that He might know

how to pity, and how to plead with His Father in behalf of sinful,

erring mortals. He volunteered to become man's Advocate, and

He humiliated Himself to become acquainted with the tempta-

tions wherewith man was beset, that He might succor those who

should be tempted, and be a tender and faithful high priest."—

Testimonies,

vol. 3, p. 93.

THINK IT THROUGH

Many Christians believe that Christ's sacrifice made God

more favorable toward man. What do you think?

"This great sacrifice was not made in order to create in the

Father's heart a love for man, not to make Him willing to save.

No, no! 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten

Son.' John 3:16. The Father loves us, not because of the great

propitiation, but He provided the propitiation because He loves

us. Christ was the medium through which He could pour out His

infinite love upon a fallen world. 'God was in Christ, reconciling

the world unto Himself.' 2 Corinthians

5:19."—Steps to Christ,

p. 13.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 350, 351.

The Merciful

LESSON 6



❑

Wednesday

November 5



Part 4



In what way does Jesus invite us to imitate our heavenly

IN THE LIKE- Father?

NESS OF OUR



HEAVENLY



"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful"

FATHER (Luke 6:36).

In its parallel passage in Matthew's Gospel, this verse reads:

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven

is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). In other words, the perfection to which

Jesus calls His disciples is expressed in the mercy that they

show, after the example set by God, not only to those who love

them, but also to their enemies, those who hate and persecute

them. (See Matt. 5:43-47; Luke 6:27-35.)

The character of God which has been revealed to us is our

standard for life. We are invited to become more and more like

Him. "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one

another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye

therefore followers of God, as dear children" (Eph. 4:32 through

5:1).

"God is Himself the source of all mercy. His name is 'merciful

and gracious.' Exodus 34:6. . .

"The merciful are 'partakers of the divine nature,' and in them

the compassionate love of God finds expression. All whose

hearts are in sympathy with the heart of Infinite Love will seek to

reclaim and not to condemn."—Thoughts

From the Mount of.

Blessing,

p. 22.

Exactly what is the lesson taught in the parable of the Good

Samaritan? Luke 10:25-37.

This parable is a perfect illustration of God's mercy in dealing

with man, as well as a vital demonstration of how the Christian

should act toward his neighbor. In truth, the feelings of com-

passion shown to the Samaritan exactly express the holy emo-

tion that made the Son of God come to earth to save humanity.

They are also the sentiments that should impel every Christian

toward his neighbor, whoever he be, every time an occasion of

need arises.

THINK IT THROUGH

Toward whom must we be merciful? Is there ever any trace

of discrimination when we consider this question?

"To the appeal of the erring, the tempted, the wretched vic-

tims of want and sin, the Christian does not ask, Are they

worthy? but, How can I benefit them? In the most wretched, the

most debased, he sees souls'whom Christ died to save and for

whom God has given to His children the ministry of reconcilia-

tion."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 22.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Who Is My Neighbor?" pp. 382-389.

The Merciful

LESSON 6



❑

Thursday

November 6

Part 5

FORGIVEN AS

WE FORGIVE

THINK IT THROUGH

How did Jesus explain the principle of reciprocity expressed

in the fifth beatitude?

"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." For if ye

forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also

forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither

will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:12, 14, 15).

(Compare 7:1, 2.)

"Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God

only as we forgive others. . . .

" ... He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through

which alone he can receive mercy from God. We should not

think that unless those who have injured us confess the wrong

we are justified in withholding from them our forgiveness. It is

their part, no doubt, to humble their hearts by repentance and

confession ... ; but as we hope to be pardoned for our offenses

against God we are to pardon all who have done evil to us."—

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

pp. 113, 114.

Show how the parable of the great debtor is a commentary

on the principle stated by Jesus. Matt. 18:23-35.

"The pardon granted by this king represents a divine forgive-

ness of all sin. Christ is represented by the king, who, moved

with compassion, forgave the debt of his servant."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

p. 244.

"But the great lesson of the parable lies in the contrast

between God's compassion and man's hardheartedness; in the

fact that God's forgiving mercy is to be the measure of our own.

'Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-

servant, even as I had pity on thee?'

"We are not forgiven

because

we forgive, but

we forgive.

The ground of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of

God, but by our attitude toward others we show whether we

have made that love our own. Wherefore Christ says, 'With what

judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.' Matt.

7:2."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

p. 251.

"Forgiveness has a broader meaning than many suppose.

... God's forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He

sets us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness

for

sin, but reclaiming

from

sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love

that transforms the heart. David had the true conception of

forgiveness when he prayed, 'Create in me a clean heart, 0

God; and renew a right spirit within me.' Psalm 51:10."—

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 114.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"The Measure of Forgiveness," pp.

243-251.

The Merciful

LESSON 6



❑

Friday

November 7

Part 6

IN THE DAY

OF JUDGMENT

What should be the rule of conduct for all who expect to

triumph in the day of judgment?

"Speak, act, as those who are to be judged by the law of

freedom; for the judgment will be merciless to the man who

has shown no mercy—whereas the merciful life will triumph in

the face of judgment" (James 2:12, 13, Moffatt).

The apostle James calls to mind the great and awesome

scene of the heavenly judgment. The law of God, which he calls

"the law of freedom," will be the standard by which the charac-

ter and life of men will be judged:

God will not make exception for persons, and "the judgment

will be merciless to the man who has shown no mercy" (verse

13). "A good man sheweth favour" (Ps. 112:5), and "the merciful

life will triumph" (James 2:13, Moffatt). Thus the promises

which Jesus made in the fifth beatitude will be fully realized.

What basic principle will guide the Son of man when the

nations are gathered before Him? Matt. 25:31-46.

The mercy of which Jesus speaks is an active principle ex-

pressed in acts of love toward one's neighbors. If this is not so,

mercy is of little value. In this judgment scene acts of mercy are

presented to us as being the test for admission to the kingdom.

For this same reason James includes acts of mercy in his defini-

tion of "pure and undefiled" religion (James 1:27, RSV).

"When the nations are gathered before Him, there will be but

two classes, and their eternal destiny will be determined by what

they have done or have neglected to do for Him in the person of

the poor and the suffering. . . .

" ... To those whom He sets upon His right hand He will say,

'Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared

for you from the foundation of the world.'

"—The Desire of

Ages,

p. 637.



THINK IT THROUGH



Is my religion only doctrine? To what extent is it translated

into acts of mercy?

"The merciful 'shall obtain mercy.' . .. There is sweet peace

for the compgssionate spirit, a blessed satisfaction in the life of

self-forgetful service for the good of others. . . .

" . . . The Lord will not fail him in the hour of suffering and

need. . . . And in the hour of final need the merciful shall find

refuge in the mercy of the compassionate Saviour and shall be

received into everlasting habitations."—Thoughts

From the

Mount of Blessing,

pp. 23, 24.



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 637-641.

LESSON 7 November 7-15

he Ran ilan

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for

they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).

With the sixth beatitude Jesus

leads us to the wellspring of our

being, the heart. One author has

called it "the inner sanctuary of the

soul." It is on the state of the heart

that purity of thought, word, and

action depend, "for out of the

abundance of the heart the mouth

speaketh." On one occasion Jesus

questioned His hearers, "How can

ye, being evil, speak good things?"

(Matt. 12:34).

In addressing the "pure in heart,"

Jesus was obviously not referring to

absolute moral purity, nor to

irreproachable conduct. Taken in

this way, this declaration would be

completely foreign to the real

meaning of the Beatitudes and to the

essence of the gospel. Jesus

confirmed this when He said, "I

came not to call the righteous, but

sinners" to repentance (Matt. 9:13,

RSV).

Jesus calls sinners—people who

are straightforward, simple, sincere,

honest with themselves and with

God. Here Jesus addresses these

people and promises them a vision of

God because of the purity of their

intentions., Only one thing is

important: to enter into a living and

personal relationship with the

Source of life—to be possessed by

God for life. The pure in heart are

those who search for God with all

their heart, and to such God

promises to reveal Himself.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The Heart, a Key Word

(Prov. 4:23)

Man's Heart Is Deceitful

(Matt. 15:18-20)

God Alone Knows the Heart

(1 Kings 8:39; Heb. 4:13)

0 God, Create in Me a Clean

Heart

(Ps. 51:3, 4, 6, 10, 17)

God's Law Written in the Heart

(Heb. 8:10)

They Shall See God

(Matt. 5:8)

The Pure in Heart

LESSON 7



❑

Sunday

November 9



Part 1



What is the meaning of the word "heart" as it is used in the

THE HEART Bible?

A KEY WORD

"Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the

springs of life" (Prov. 4:23, RSV).

The word

heart

is used hundreds of times in the Bible, but

only rarely—not to say "never"—does the word refer to the

physical organ itself. Furthermore, in a figurative sense, the

Bible authors give the word a much broader meaning than

modern languages attribute to it. For us today the heart is

usually linked with the emotions; in the Bible it designates the

inward man, the intimate, hidden area of the being, as well as

the center of emotions and the intellect.

It should be noted that Bible writers considered the heart to

be the seat of the intellect and, more specifically, the center of

the will. From the heart good and evil thoughts issue, and in the

heart resolutions take shape that determine human destiny.

"When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the

life, the whole being."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible

Commentary.

vol. 4, p. 1164.

To what did Jesus refer when He spoke of purity of heart?

"Purity of heart, in the sense Christ used it, includes far more

than sexual purity (MB 25); it includes all desirable character

traits to the exclusion of all that are undesirable. To be 'pure in

heart' is equivalent to being clothed with the robe of Christ's

righteousness . . , the 'fine linen' with which the saints are

arrayed (Rev. 19:8; cf. ch. 3:18, 19)—perfection of character.

"It was not ceremonial purity that Jesus had in mind (Matt.

15:18-20; 23:25), but inward cleanness of heart. If the motives

are pure, the life will be pure.

"Those with pure hearts have forsaken sin as a ruling princi-

ple in the life, and their lives are without reserve consecrated to

God. . . . To be 'pure in heart' does not mean that one is

absolutely sinless, but it does mean that his motives are right,

that by the grace of Christ he has turned his back on past

mistakes, and that he is pressing toward the mark of perfection

in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-15)."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol.

5, p. 327.



THINK IT THROUGH



Since "the wisdom that is from above is first pure" (James

3:17), it alone can help us understand more fully what the

Saviour wished to say when He spoke of "the pure in heart."



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:8), pp. 24-27.

The Pure in Heart

LESSON 7



❑

Monday

November 10



Part 2



What role of prime importance did Jesus ascribe to the

MAN'S HEART heart?

IS EVIL

"What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and

this defiles a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts,

murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.

These are what defile a man" (Matt. 15:18-20, RSV). (Compare

Mark 7:21-23.)

The source of evil is found within the heart of man, not

without. Nothing is helped when only the outside is cleansed, as

the Pharisees were accustomed to doing. "First cleanse the

inside of the cup and of the plate," Jesus advised them, "that the

outside also may be clean" (Matt. 23:26, RSV). Without real

transformation of the heart, man cannot bear good fruit. At best

he may appear righteous to men on the outside, but within he

remains "full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (Matt. 23:28).

What explanation is given in the Bible of the heart's disposi-

tion to evil?

The fall of man in Eden took place at the heart level, at the seat

of the intellect and of the will. Adam and Eve exercised their own

wills instead of following God's bidding. Disobedience to the

will of God changed the heart, the very source of man's being,

the wellspring of all issues. That is why, since Eden, every

activity of man bears the stain of his heart, that is, of his mind

and will.

Since Eden the heart of man has been evil. It was because

"the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every

imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continu-

ally" (Gen. 6:5, RSV) that God could not intervene in favor of the

antediluvians. And God has warned that "as it was in the days of

Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man" (Luke 17:26,

RSV).



THINK IT THROUGH



How is what the Bible terms "hardness of heart" brought

about?

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye hence-

forth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the

life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the

blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given

themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness

with greediness" (Eph. 4:17-19).



FURTHER STUDY



Education,

pp. 23-26.

The Pure in Heart

LESSON 7



❑

Tuesday

November 11

Part 3

GOD ALONE

KNOWS

THE HEART

If "the inward mind and heart of a man are deep," as David

affirms (Ps. 64:6, RSV), who can know it?

"Act, and render to each whose heart thou knowest, accord-

ing to all his ways (for thou, thou only, knowest the hearts of all

the children of men)" (1 Kings 8:39, RSV).

"Before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid

bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 4:13,

RSV).

The heart of man is difficult to understand. Confusion of

thought makes objective judgment of oneself impossible.

Others can judge only on appearance, which often does not

correspond to the true inner condition because of the natural

duplicity of the heart.

If we think that we can deceive God by hiding anything from

Him, we are only deceiving ourselves. He is able to read our

most intimate secrets, and. He also knows the source from

which issue all our thoughts, words, and actions. Not only does

God see the things that we are able to hide from men, but He

also perceives things that we do not know are there. Even when

"you . . . justify yourselves before men," Jesus stated, "God

knows your hearts" (Luke 16:15, RSV). This is why only God is in

a position to judge. "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man

looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the

heart" (1 Sam. 16:7).

Through what means does God reach the heart of man?

Heb. 4:12.

One will never completely understand to what extent God

depends on His Word, "the sword of the Spirit," "sharper than

any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit

. . . , and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart"

(Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12, RSV), to dissipate the darkness of the

heart and make the light shine in. We know that by the Word of

God the Spirit takes possession of hearts and leads them into all

truth.

In the measure that man is willing to listen to the Word of God,

the Holy Spirit will open the ears (Isa. 50:5) and "the eyes of your

hearts" (Eph. 1:18, RSV), "until the day dawn, and the day star

arise in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).

"God's holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and

precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there

revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and ap-

propriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to the

soul."—Christ's Object Lessons,

p. 132.



THINK IT THROUGH



Read the prayer in Psalm 139:23,24.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Things New and Old," p. 132.

The Pure in Heart

LESSON 7



❑

Wednesday

November 12



Part 4



In order for God to be able to purify the heart, what four

0 GOD, CREATE conditions must be met, as outlined by David in Psalm 51?

IN ME

A CLEAN HEART

"This passage in David's history is full of significance to the

repenting sinner. It is one of the most forcible illustrations given

us of the struggles and temptations of humanity, and of genuine

repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."—

Patriarchs and Prophets,

p. 726.

One must have the courage to recognize his sinful state.

"I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever be-

fore me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this

evil in thy sight" (verses 3, 4).

Without recognition of one's sinful state, without sincere

confession of one's transgressions, there can be no forgive-

ness. "David's repentance was sincere and deep. There was no

effort to palliate his crime. No desire to escape the judgments

threatened, inspired his prayer. . . . It was not for pardon only

that he prayed, but for purity of

heart."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

p. 725.

One must desire to receive truth with all one's heart.

"Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore

teach me wisdom in my secret heart" (verse 6, RSV).

God uses truth to sanctify us; "thy word is truth" (John 17:17).

On the one hand, by revealing our sins to us, God's Word

permits us to see ourselves as we are (see James 1:23, 24); on

the other hand, it shows us what we can become by His grace.

One must ask God to create in him a new heart.

"Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit

within me" (verse 10).

God does not wish merely to tidy the heart; He desires to

create anew one, as He promises in Ezekiel 36:26: "A new heart

also will I give you."

One must offer himself to God as a living sacrifice.

"The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken

and contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise" (verse 17,

RSV).

What counts in God's eyes is not the exterior aspects of

holiness, but the inner dispositions of the heart and mind. When

these are not what they should be, all the sacrifices and cere-

monies, even prayer itself, are an abomination to God. (See Ise.

1:11-17.)



FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 724-726.

The Pure in Heart

LESSON 7



❑

Thursday

November 13

Part 5

GOD'S LAW

WRITTEN IN

THE HEART

What marvelous promise does the Lord make with regard to

the condition of the believer under the new covenant?

"This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their

mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a

God, and they shall be to me a people" (Heb. 8:10).

"At Mt. Sinai the Lord wrote His laws on tables of stone (Deut.

4:13), and in a book (ch. 31:24, 26). He intended that these laws

should also be written on the hearts of the people. But the

Israelites were content to regard these statutes simply as an

external code and their observance a matter of outward com-

pliance. God did not intend that His laws should be thus re-

garded. He offered His people the experience of a new heart ... ,

but they were content with only an external religion. Under the

new

covenant men's hearts and minds are changed.... Men do

right, not by their own strength, but because Christ dwells in the

heart, living out His life in the believer.... They are born of the

Spirit and bear the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). The change

can be effected only by divine power. Only God can 'put' His law

in the hearts of His followers, though, of course, not without

man's consent and cooperation (Rev. 22:17

...)."—S.D.A. Bible

Commentary, vol.

7, p. 446.

What should characterize the life and activities of a genuine

Christian? Deut. 4:29; 6:5; Col. 3:23.

God is not pleased with a divided heart, halfhearted service,

occasional piety, diluted Christianity. God demands all or

nothing. "I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou

art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of

my mouth" (Rev. 3:15, 16).



THINK IT THROUGH



To give one's heart to God means simply to submit one's will

to the will of God.

"You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give

to God its affections; but you can

choose

to serve Him. You can

give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do

according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be

brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections

will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony

with Him."—Steps

to Christ,

p. 47.



FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"The Test of Discipleship," pp. 57-65.

The Pure in Heart

LESSON 7



❑

Friday

November 14

Part 6

THEY SHALL

SEE GOD

What promise is made to the pure in heart? How should this

promise be understood?

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God"

(Matt. 5:8).

"By faith we behold Him here and, now. In our daily experi-

ence we discern His goodness and compassion in the manifes-

tation of His providence. We recognize Him in the character of

His Son. The Holy Spirit takes the truth concerning God and Him

whom He hath sent, and opens it to the understanding and to

the heart. The pure in heart see God in 'a new and endearing

relation, as their Redeemer; and while they discern the purity

and loveliness of His character, they long to reflect His image.

They see Him as a Father longing to embrace a repenting son,

and their hearts are filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

"The pure in heart discern the Creator in

the

works of His

mighty hand, in the things of beauty that comprise the universe.

In His written word they read in clearer lines the revelation of His

mercy, His goodness, and His grace.... We discern the truth by

becoming, ourselves,-partakers of the divine nature.

"The pure in heart live as in the visible presence of God during

the time He apportions them in this

world."—Thoughts From

the Mount of Blessing,

pp. 26, 27.

What are two happy results in this life of contemplating the

glory of God? 2 Cor. 3:18.

"It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, which Jesus said He

would send into the world, that changes our character into the

image of Christ; and when this is accomplished, we reflect:as in

a mirror, the glory of the. Lord."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 1097.



THINK IT THROUGH



How is it possible to contemplate the Lord's glory?

"Beholding Christ means studying His life as, given 'in His

Word. We are to dig for truth as for hidden treasure. We are to fix

our eyes upon Christ. . . . By beholding we become changed,

morally assimilated to the One who is perfect in character. By

receiving His imputed righteousness, through the transforming

power of the Holy Spirit, we become like Him. The image of

Christ is cherished, and it captivates the whole being."—Ellen

G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 1098.



FURTHER STUDY



Ellen G. White Comments,'S.D:A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6,

pp. 1097-1099.

LESSON 8 November 16-22

8.1r11-fle

cetranakell°5

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for

they shall be called the children of

God" (Matt. 5:9).

Interestingly, in considering the

seventh beatitude, theologians in

particular have asked themselves if it

was not directed especially to

Christ's disciples. Evidence denies

this. For instance, the prologue to

the Sermon on the Mount clearly

states that Jesus addressed Himself

to the multitudes.

Furthermore, in this discourse the

Master pointed out the steps in

man's only path of spiritual

development. Here we find

enumerated the principles that

assure the moral growth of every

human being—principles and laws

with universal scope. All are called to

receive this divine teaching, but only

those who are prepared to realize it

in their lives are the ones who fulfill

the conditions outlined in the

preceding beatitudes.

This truth is evident in the fact that

performance of this beatitude is

possible only as the provisions

described in the preceding

'beatitudes are achieved. It is

impossible to be an instrument of

peace in the world, a "maker of

peace" after the example of Jesus

Himself, unless "the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,"

fills "your hearts and minds" with the

'feelings that are in Christ Jesus (Phil.

47).

Just as Christ came to the world as

a peacemaker, to reconcile all who

are in heaven and on earth, just so

His disciples are called to become

"makers of peace" among men. In

doing this they will receive the

glorious title "children of God,"

which is reserved for those whom

the Lord will one day usher into the

kingdom of heaven.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Makers of, Peace

(Matt. 5:9)

Children of Wrath

(Eph. 2:3; Col. 1:21)

The God of Peace

(Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 1 Cor. 14:33)

Christ Our Peace

(Col. 1:19, 20; Eph. 2:14)

The Fruits of Peace

(Col. 2:13,14; Rom. 8:2, 6; 12:18)

Becoming Children of God

(Matt. 5:43, 44)

The Peacemakers

LESSON 8



❑

Sunday

November 16

Part 1

MAKERS OF

PEACE

What is the meaning of the word "peacemaker" as it was

used by Jesus?

The word used in the original Greek is not found elsewhere in

the Bible, although the verb "to make peace" is often used.

Scholars have been unable to determine the Aramaic expres-

sion equivalent to this composite word. But as the Aramaic

spoken in Palestine in Christ's time was akin to the Hebrew,

doubtless Jesus employed a word with Semitic connotations.

"In order to appreciate what Christ meant when He spoke of

'peacemakers' it is helpful to take note of the meaning of peace

in Semitic thinking and speech. The Hebrew equivalent of the

Greek

eirene

shalom,

meaning 'completeness,' soundness,'

'prosperity,' condition of well-being.'

"—S.D.A. Bible Com-

mentary,

vol. 5, p. 328.

According to Jesus, what name will be given to those who

are peacemakers? Matt. 5:9.

To be called "children of God" means, strictly speaking, to be

"sons of God." God is the "God of peace" (Rom. 15:33); Jesus,

the "Prince of Peace." It seems natural, then, that those who, in

God's name, work for peace in this world should be called

"children of God."

"To be a son of God means to resemble Him in character

(1 John 3:2; cf. John 8:44). 'Peacemakers' are the 'sons of God'

because they are at peace with Him themselves, and are de-

voted to the cause of leading their fellow men to be at peace

with Him."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 328.



THINK IT THROUGH



Is it possible for men to bring about peace? If not, why not?

"The peace of Christ is born of truth. It is harmony with God.

The world is at enmity with the law of God; sinners are at enmity

with their Maker; and as a result they are at enmity with one

another. But the psalmist declares, 'Great peace have they

which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.' Ps. 119:165.

Men cannot manufacture peace. Human plans for the purifica-

tion and uplifting of individuals or of society will fail of produc-

ing peace, because they do not reach the heart. The only power

that can create or perpetuate true peace is the grace of Christ.

When this is implanted in the heart, it will cast out the evil

passions that cause strife and dissension. 'Instead of the thorn

shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up

the myrtle tree;' and life's desert 'shall rejoice, and blossom as

the rose.' Ise. 55:13; 35:1."—The

Desire of Ages,

pp. 302-305.



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:9), pp. 27, 28.

The Peacemakers

LESSON 8



El Monday

November 17

Part 2



What does the Bible teach concerning relations between

CHILDREN God and man?

OF WRATH

"We all . were by nature the children of wrath, even as

others" (Eph. 2:3).

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in

your minds because of your evil behavior" (Col. 1:21, NIV).

In yielding to temptation and being disobedient to God in

Eden, man took his stand against the Creator of the universe,

against God's established order, against the laws of life. At the

same time he placed himself on the side of the "prince of the

power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of

disobedience" (Eph. 2:2).

As a natural consequence, relations between God and His

earthly creatures were broken. After sin man first fled from

God's presence out of fear, then because of a lack of interest in

heavenly things, and finally out of hatred for the God they no

longer knew or, worse, whose very name filled them with anger.

And, speaking of the "children of disobedience," the apostle

Paul adds, "among whom also we all .. were by nature" (Eph.

2:3).

No one can say that he is an exception. We are all by nature

"children of wrath," consciously or unconsciously, in a state of

war against God, lined up under the banner of the "prince of this

world." "Whosoever . . will be a friend of the world is the enemy

of God," because "the friendship of the world is enmity with.

God" (James 4:4).

How does man's rebellion against God manifest itself? Titus

3:3.

Enmity between 'God and man reveals itself on the spiritual

level, with far-reaching consequences in man's life generally.

By his thoughts and works man becomes a stranger and an

enemy of God. By doing what he pleases rather than following

God's will, he becomes "a son of disobedience," introducing

into his own life—and into the world—disorder,' envy, hatred,

violence, strife, suffering, and death.

THINK IT THROUGH

In carefully examining the list of the "works of the flesh," as

drawn up by the apostle Paul, are you confident that you have

won the battle of life?

"Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity,

licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger,

selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carous-

ing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those

who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal.

5:19-21, RSV).

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 5, p. 244.

The Peacemakers

LESSON 8



❑

Tuesday

November 18

Part 3

THE GOD

OF PEACE

What title did Paul freely attribute to God?

"The God of peace be with you all" (Rom. 15:33).

"The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet

shortly" (Rom. 16:20).

"God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (1 Cor.

14:33).

In the beginning of Israel's history Gideon built an altar unto

the Lord, which he named "Jehovahshalom" (Judges 6:24)—

"The Lord is peace" (RSV). Most of the Bible authors used this

title in one way or another, either to call upon "the God of

peace," or to greet one another, or to bless, or still to call to

order and peace.

"God is not a being who either has in Himself or produces

disorder, disunion, discord, or confusion.... He is the God of

peace, and it is not to be taught that He could be pleased by a

form of worship characterized by confusion of any kind. . .

Christianity tends to promote order (see 1 Cor. 14:40)."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, pp. 792, 793.

Why is the title "God of peace" a just one? Col. 1:20; Rom.

5:8, 10.

Before the foundation of the world God conceived the plan by

Which He would establish peace, not only on earth with man, but

also in heaven among the heavenly hosts. God arranged for the

reestablishing of peace wherever there was war against Him in

the universe.

God did not wait until we approached Him to heal the breach

and make peace. It was He who took the initiative: "While we

were yet sinners, ... when we were enemies, we were reconciled

to God" (Rom. 5:8-10). "All things are of.

God, who hath recon-

ciled ... the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses

unto them" (2 Cor. 5:18, 19).



THINK IT THROUGH



The parable of the lost sheep aptly illustrates the fact that

God took the initiative in the quest and the reconciliation.

"It was taught by the Jews that before God's love is extended

to the sinner, he must first repent. In their view, repentance is a

work by which men earn the favor of Heaven.... According to

their ideas He should permit none to approach Him but those

who had repented. But in the parable of the lost sheep, Christ

teaches that salvation does not come through our seeking after

God but through God's seeking after

us."—Christ's Object Les-

sons,

p. 189.



FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"Confession," pp. 37-39.

The Peacemakers

LESSON 8



❑

Wednesday

November 19

Part 4

CHRIST

OUR PEACE

Through what means did God bring about peace with man?

"In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and

through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on

earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross"

(Col. 1:19, 20, RSV).

"For he [Christ] is our peace" (Eph. 2:14).

Our reconciliation with God was effected through Jesus

Christ. He in person was the instrument of our peace with God.

"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our

Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). God established "peace through

the blood of his cross" (Col. 1:20). The redemptive work of

Christ is completely contained in the word "peace."

"Christ came that He might give peace to us such as the world

knows not and cannot offer (John 14:27). This 'peace of God,

which passeth all understanding, shall keep' our 'hearts and

minds through Christ Jesus' (Phil. 4:7). When Christ enters the

heart it is always with the words, 'Peace be unto you' (Luke

24:36)."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 693.

Which of the Messiah's characteristics was announced by

prophecy and acclaimed at the time of His advent? Isa. 9:6;

Luke 2:14.

"Christ is the 'good will' of God incarnate. He is the 'Prince of

Peace' (Isa. 9:6), the One who proclaimed, 'Peace I leave with

you. . . . Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid'

(John 14:27). As the result of His coming it is our privilege to

'have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Rom.

5:1)."--S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 700.



THINK IT THROUGH



Harmony with God, likeness to Him—what can you do to

obtain It?

"It is peace that you need—Heaven's forgiveness and peace

and love in the soul. Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot

procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by

your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift,

'without money and without price.' Isaiah 55:1. It is yours if you

will but reach out your hand and grasp it. The Lord says,

'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.' Isaiah

1:18. 'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put

within you.' Ezekiel 36:26."—Steps

to Christ,

p. 49.



FURTHER STUDY



S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

"We Have Peace," vol. 6, pp. 522,

523.

The Peacemakers

LESSON 8



❑

Thursday

November 20

Part 5

THE FRUITS

OF PEACE

Experiencing the peace of Christ bears three kinds of fruit.

What are they?

Peace with God:

"You, who were dead in trespasses ... ,

God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our

trespasses, having canceled the bond which stood against us

with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the

cross" (Col. 2:13, 14, RSV). (Compare Rom. 8:1.)

The prophet Isaiah had prophesied it in these words: "The

chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes

we are healed" (53:5). Reconciled, we no longer live in fear, and

"the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are

children of God: . . heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ"

(Rom. 8:16, 17).

Peace with oneself:

"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ

Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.... For

to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is

life and peace" (Rom. 8:2-6).

"To set the mind on the things of the Spirit, and to have the

thoughts and desires governed solely by the Spirit of God, result

in that healthful, life-giving harmony of all the functions of the

soul that is a sure pledge and foretaste of the life to come...

The presence of the Holy Spirit brings love, joy, and peace in the

life (Gal. 5:22), the beginning within us of the kingdom of God,

which is 'righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost'

(Rom. 14:17)."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 563.

Peace with others:

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in

you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom. 12:18).

The peace of God—because it is perfect—manifests itself in

our relations with one another. This is why preaching of the

gospel of peace demands that we "live in peace" (2 Cor. 13:11),

"follow . . . peace" (2 Tim. 2:22), and "strive for peace with all

men" (Heb. 12:14, RSV).



THINK IT THROUGH



"The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall

keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7).

"Whoever consents to renounce sin and open his heart to the

love of Christ, becomes a partaker of this heavenly peace.

"There is no other ground of peace than this. The grace of

Christ received into the heart, subdues enmity; it allays strife

and fills the soul with

love."—Thoughts From the Mount of

Blessing,

p. 27.



FURTHER STUDY



Counsels on Health,

p. 403.

The Peacemakers

LESSON 8



❑

Friday

November 21



Part 6



To be a "peacemaker," what extraordinary demand is made

BECOMING of Christians?

CHILDREN



OF GOD



"Ye have heard that it hath been said; Thou shalt love thy

neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love

your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that

hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and

persecute you" (Matt. 5:43, 44).

"The children of God are those who are partakers of His

nature. It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor

religious privilege, which proves that we are members of the

family of God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity. Even

sinners whose hearts'are not utterly closed to God's Spirit, will

respond to kindness; while they may give hate for hate, they will

also give love for love. But it is only the Spirit of God that gives

love for hatred. To be kind to the unthankful and to the evil, to do

good hoping for nothing again, is the insignia of the royalty of

heaven, the sure token by which the children of the Highest

reveal their high

estate."—Thoughts From the Mount of Bless-

ing,

p. 75.

To what end should those who have received God's peace

direct all their efforts? Rom. 14:19; James 3:18.

"Christ's followers are sent to the world with the message of

peace. Whoever, by the quiet, unconscious influence of a holy

life, shall reveal the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed,

shall lead anotherto renounce sin and yield his heart to God, is a

peacemaker.

"And 'blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called

the children of God.' The spirit of peace is evidence of their

connection with heaven. The sweet savor of Christ surrounds

them. The fragrance of the life, the loveliness of the character,

reveal to the world the fact that they are children of God. Men

take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus.

'Everyone that loveth is born of God.' 'If any man have not the

Spirit of Christ, he is none of His;' but 'as many as are led by the

Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.' 1 John 4:7; Romans 8:9,

14."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 28.



THINK IT THROUGH



According to the prophecy of the apostle Paul, what will

happen when men "shall say, Peace and safety"?

"Then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon

a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (1 Thess. 5:3).



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Spirituality of the

Law" (Matt. 5:44), pp. 73-75.

LESSON 9 November 23-29

9:711

il.e Penecaged

"Blessed are those who are

persecuted for righteousness' sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

(Matt. 5:10, RSV).

Unlike the preceding beatitudes,

which outline the different stages of

spiritual development of the inner

man, the last beatitude deals with the

experiences and duties that await the

Christian.

"After explaining what constitutes

true happiness, and how it may be

obtained, Jesus more definitely

pointed out the duty of His disciples,

as teachers chosen of God to lead

others into the path of righteousness

and. eternal life. He knew that they

would often suffer from

disappointment and

discouragement, that they would

meet with decided opposition, that

they would be insulted, and their

testimony rejected. Well He knew

that in the fulfillment of their

mission, the humble men who

listened so attentively to His words

were to bear calumny, torture,

imprisonment, and death."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 305.

"Through trials and persecution,

the glory—character--of God is

revealed in His chosen ones. The

church of God, hated and

persecuted by the world, are

educated and disciplined in the

school of Christ. They walk in narrow

paths on earth; they are purified in

the furnace of affliction. They follow

Christ through sore conflicts; they

endure self-denial and experience

bitter. disappointments; but their

painful experience teaches them the

guilt and woe of sin, and they look

upon it with abhorrence. Being

partakers of Christ's sufferings, they

are destined to be partakers of His

glory."—Thoughts From the Mount

of Blessing,

p. 31.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Christ, Reason for Discord

(Matt. 10:34-36)

"They Will Also Persecute You"

(John 15:18-20)

Desire to Live a Godly Life

(2 Tim. 3:12)

Reproached for Christ's Name

(1 Peter 4:14-16)

To Bear Testimony

(Luke 21:13)

"Their's Is the Kingdom of

Heaven"

(Matt. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:5)

The Persecuted

LESSON 9



❑

Tuesday

November 25

Part 3

DESIRE TO

LIVE A

GODLY LIFE

Why did the apostle Paul consider persecution almost in-

evitable in the life of the Christian?

"All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecu-

tion" (2 Tim. 3:12).

"Between righteousness and sin, love and hatred, truth and

falsehood, there is an irrepressible conflict. When one presents

the love of Christ and the beauty of holiness, he is drawing away

the subjects of Satan's kingdom, and the prince of evil is

aroused to resist it. Persecution and reproach await all who are

imbued with the Spirit of

Christ."—Thoughts From the Mount of

Blessing,

p. 29.

"The same enmity is manifested toward Christ's followers as

was manifested toward their Master. Whoever sees the repul-

sive character of sin, and in strength from above resists tempta-

tion, will assuredly arouse the wrath of Satan and his subjects.

Hatred of the pure principles of truth, and reproach and perse-

cution of its advocates, will exist as long as sin and sinners

remain. The followers of Christ and the servants of Satan cannot

harmonize. The offense of the cross has not ceased."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 507.

What did Paul consider was his duty in preparing the

churches for persecution? Acts 14:22.

The declaration that appears here is a statement that Luke

must have heard many times from Paul's lips, and which he

faithfully reported in the first person plural, although he had not

yet been in Lystra, Iconium, or Antioch.



THINK IT THROUGH



"Why is it, then, that persecution seems in a great degree to

slumber?"

This important question is asked by the author of

The Great

Controversy

on page 48 of that book. Her response should make

us think. It follows:

"The only reason is that the church has conformed to the

world's standard and therefore awakens no opposition.... It is

only because of the spirit of compromise with sin, because the

great truths of the word of God are so indifferently regarded,

because there is so little vital godliness in the church, that

Christianity is apparently so popular with the world. Let there be

a revival of the faith and power of the early church, and the spirit

of. persecution will be revived, and the fires of persecution will

be rekindled."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 48.



FURTHER STUDY



The. Desire of Ages,

pp. 305, 306.

The Persecuted

LESSON 9



❑

Wednesday

November 26

Part 4



Only under what conditions can persecution be considered

REPROACHED as a reason to rejoice?

FOR CHRIST'S

NAME



"If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are

blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

. If one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but

under that name let him glorify God" (1 Peter 4:14-16, RSV).

As Jesus stated in the eighth beatitude, only he who is perse-

cuted for righteousness' sake can know the joy that comes from

above in spite of the trial. The satisfaction that the persecuted

Christian enjoys comes to him because he is a partaker of

"Christ's sufferings" (v. 13), because he knows that he is suffer-

ing as a Christian, and because he has proof that the "spirit of

glory and of God rests" on him.

In apostolic times the name Christian was possibly first given

to ridicule those who followed Christ. That is why the apostle

Peter exhorts Christians not to be ashamed, but rather to glory.

And that is exactly what happened. Christians of the first cen-

turies brought glory to Christ by being persecuted for His sake.

What more is said concerning affliction for the sake of con-

science as opposed to every other motive? 1 Peter 2:19-21;

4:15.

THINK IT THROUGH

If it is a Christian grace to suffer unjustly for the sake of

conscience, it is, on the contrary, a terrible disgrace—and a

reproach for the cause of God—to suffer as a "murderer, or as a

thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters"

(v. 15). As this is a matter of the Christian's relations with non-

Christians, the meaning of the word "busybody" tells us that a

Christian should not make himself conscience.for another. It is

enough that he conducts himself without reproach before God

and man.

•

Precisely what attitude should one have toward persecu-

tion? Should one flee from it or strive for it?

"None should disobey His [the Lord's] command in order to

escape persecution. But let all consider the words of Christ:

'When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another.'

Matthew 10:23. If it can be avoided, do not put yourselves into

the power of men who are worked by'the spirit of antichrist.

Everything that we can do should be done that those who are

willing to suffer for the truth's sake may be saved from oppres-

sion and

cruelty."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, p. 230.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

p. 355.

The Persecuted

LESSON 9



❑

Thursday

November 27

Part 5

TO BEAR

TESTIMONY

THINK IT THROUGH

How did Jesus explain persecutions to His disciples in the

framework of God's work with man?

"This will be a time for you to bear testimony" (Luke 21:13,

RSV). (Compare Mark 13:9.)

If it is wrong to seek persecution, it is certainly a greater

mistake to believe that God brings it about for the good of His

children and the progress of His work. God never causes evil,

nor does He ever wish it for His children. But as, where sin

abounds, grace much more abounds (Rom. 5:20); so, where

persecution rages, God accords grace to endure and to triumph

in order that testimony may be borne to truth.

What experiences in Paul's life illustrate the principle ex-

pressed by Jesus? Phil. 1:12-14; Acts 16:22-34.

"God means that truth shall be brought to the front and

become the subject of examination and discussion, even

through the contempt placed upon it. The minds of the people

must be agitated; every controversy, every reproach, every ef-

fort to restrict liberty of conscience, is God's means of awaken-

ing minds that otherwise might

slumber"—Thoughts From the

Mount of Blessing,

p. 33.

The first persecution of the church at Jerusalem is a typical

example of the way God uses the enemy's ambush to ac-

complish His purposes. (See Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19-21.)

"In vain were Satan's efforts to destroy the church of Christ by

violence. The great controversy in which the disciples of Jesus

yielded up their lives did not cease when these faithful

standard-bearers fell at their post. By defeat they conquered.

God's workmen were slain, but His work went steadily forward.

The gospel continued to spread and the number of its adherents

to increase. It penetrated into regions that were inaccessible

even to the eagles of Rome. Said a Christian, expostulating with

the heathen rulers who were urging forward the persecution:

You may 'kill us, torture us, condemn us.... Your injustice is the

proof that we are innocent.... The oftener we are mown down

by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is

seed.'—Tertullian,

Apology."—The Great Controversy,

pp. 41,

42.

Do you know any examples of the entering of the gospel into

a country, a region, a city, or a family despite obstacles, or

thanks to them?

Be ready to tell your story briefly, if you should have the

opportunity.

FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:11), pp. 31-35.

The Persecuted

LESSON 9



Friday

November 28

Part 6

"THEIR'S IS

THE KINGDOM

OF HEAVEN"

THINK IT THROUGH

What marvelous promise does the eighth beatitude contain

for those persecuted for righteousness' sake?

"Their's is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:10).

"This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you

may be made worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are

suffering" (2 Thess. 1:5, RSV).

"The same promise [is] made in v. 3 [of Matthew 5] to those

who sense their spiritual need. 'If we suffer, we shall also reign

with him' (2 Tim. 2:12; cf. Dan. 7:18, 27). Those who suffer most

for Christ here are best able to appreciate what He suffered for

them. It is appropriate that the first and last beatitudes should

contain the assurance of membership in the kingdom."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 328.

.How did the apostle Paul console the Thessalonians, who

were suffering persecution and tribulation? 2 Thess. 1:4-7.

"In his second letter Paul sought to correct their misun-

derstanding of his teaching and to set before them his true

position. He again expressed his confidence in their integrity,

and his gratitude that their faith was strong, and that their love

abounded for one another and for the cause of their Master. He

told them that he presented them to other churches as an ex-

ample of the patient, persevering faith that bravely withstands

persecution and tribulation, and he carried their minds forward

to the time of,the second coming of Christ, when the people of

God shall rest from all their cares and perplexities."—The

Acts

of the Apostles,

p. 264.

Even though the promises of Jesus contained in the

Beatitudes are already being partially fulfilled in this life, their

perfect realization will not take place until the glorious advent

of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let

this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the

gates of the city of God into the great beyond, the wide, un-

bounded future of glory that is for the redeemed. 'Be patient

therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the

husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath

long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be

ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord

draweth nigh.' James 5:7,

8."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, pp. 287, 288.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 9, pp. 285-287.

LESSON 10 November 30 to December 6

10.

hen Men

ReAleYou

....,,..,,

.............

"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you" (Matt. 5:12).

We will not consider the question

of whether Matthew 5:11, 12 make

up the ninth beatitude or if they are

merely an extension of the eighth.

We will try instead to understand

their message a little more clearly.

From their content these words of

Jesus seem to be a simple unfolding

of the statement made in the last

beatitude; by the verb forms,

however, it appears that the Master

was speaking directly to His

disciples, that He was no longer

satisfied to speak in a general way to

all the congregation assembled

around Him. Supporting this

deduction is the change from the

impersonal third-person form of the

verbs used in the preceding

beatitudes to the more direct

second-person form in these verses.

Here the Master is no longer making

a simple statement of blessing for

those who meet the qualifications

pointed out in the preceding

beatitudes; instead He is addressing

His disciples in a personal, direct

way, inviting them to be happily

counted worthy of suffering shame

for His name and to rejoice in

anticipation of the recompense

awaiting them in heaven.

It is in this setting that we will study

this invitation to rejoice. We will

direct our thinking, on the one hand,

to the age-old conflict between the

forces of good and evil, and, on the

other hand, to special consideration

of the great final tribulation that soon

will be the portion of witnesses to

truth.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Happy Are You

(Matt. 5:11)

The Parable of the Vineyard

(Matt. 21:35, 38)

Blinded by the God of This World

(1 Tim. 1:13; 2 Cor. 4:4; John 16:2)

They Will Possess the Everlasting

Kingdom

(Dan. 7:21, 22, 25)

Preparation for the Time of

Trouble

(Dan. 12:1)

The Redeemed Before the Throne

of God

(Rev. 7:13-15)

"When Men Shall Revile You"

LESSON 10



❑

Sunday

November 30

Part 1

HAPPY

ARE YOU

What attitude should the persecuted believer possess?

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute

you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my

sake" (Matt. 5:11).

The true cause of the happiness of those whom Jesus de-

clared "blessed" is not found in themselves. Rather it is in the

Lord's promise to them. In each beatitude Jesus stated the

reason for happiness in the second part of the declaration. The

poor in spirit, they that mourn, those who hunger and thirst, the

persecuted—all are blessed because Jesus is able to promise

them the kingdom of heaven, consolation, satisfaction, the title

"son of God," a vision of God.

Clearly, persecution itself cannot be a cause for rejoicing for

those who suffer. The apostles did not glory in the furnace,

trials, tribulations. Persecution was of no value as a meritorious

experience. The happiness of the persecuted Christian has its

source in Christ. He is happy who is reviled, persecuted, or

falsely accused "for my sake," Jesus specified, or "for my

name's sake" (Luke 21:12), "because the spirit of glory and of

God rests upon you" and because you suffer "as a Christian"

(1 Peter 4:14, 16, RSV).

What are two reasons for rejoicing, according to Jesus?

Matt. 5:12.

The Beatitudes have already outlined the recompense for

suffering during the earthly phase of the Messianic kingdom.

The Master now indicates the place of the reward: "Great is your

reward in heaven." Only in the kingdom of heaven will the

redeemed receive the reward that the Lord has prepared for

them.

The second reason indicated here is found in the comparison

made with the prophets. He who is persecuted, as were the

prophets, can count on receiving the same recompense re-

served for the prophets. "And these all, having obtained a good

report through faith, received not the promise: God having

provided some better thing for us, that they without us should

not be made perfect" (Heb. 11:39, 40).



THINK IT THROUGH



Is there better proof, for me as for others, that I am one of

Christ's disciples?

"Far from causing grief, persecution should bring joy to the

disciples of Christ, for it is an evidence that they are following in

the steps of their

Master."—Thoughts From the Mount of Bless-

ing,

p. 30.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

p. 477.

"When Men Shall Revile You"

LESSON 10



❑

Monday

December 1



Part 2



What was the general attitude of men toward God's mes-

THE PARABLE sengers in Christ's parable of the vineyard?

OF THE



VINEYARD



"The husbandmen took his servants, and beat

one, and

killed another, and stoned another."

"When the husbandmen saw the son, they said among

themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us

seize on his inheritance" (Matt. 21:35, 38). (See also verses

33-41.)

This parable proves the infinite patience and goodness of

God toward men, at the same time that it points out man's

ingratitude and cruelty. True, this parable was directed espe-

cially to the Israelites, but it also illustrates the general attitude

of men toward God's messengers.

Stephen's literal application of this truth in his discourse

resulted in his being stoned. He said, "Which of the prophets

did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who an-

nounced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom

you have now betrayed and murdered" (Acts 7:52, RSV).

What did Jesus say was the attitude of the scribes and

Pharisees toward the prophets? Matt. 23:29-35.

THINK IT THROUGH

"The gems of truth that fell from Christ's lips on that eventful

day [when He pronounced woe on the scribes and Pharisees]

were treasured in many hearts. For them new thoughts started

into life, new aspirations were awakened, and a new history

began. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, these

persons came to the front, and fulfilled their divine commission

with a wisdom and zeal corresponding to the greatness of the

work.... Mighty were the results flowing from the words of the

Saviour to that wondering, awestruck crowd in the temple at

Jerusalem."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 620.

There is no more effective testimony in favor of truth than

that of men and women ready to give their lives for it.

"When the noble and eloquent Stephen was stoned to death

at the instigation of the Sanhedrin council, there was no loss to

the cause of the gospel. The light of heaven that glorified his

face, the divine compassion breathed in his dying prayer, were

as a sharp arrow of conviction to the bigoted Sanhedrist who

stood by, and Saul, the persecuting Pharisee, became a chosen

vessel to bear the name of Christ before Gentiles and kings and

the children of

Israel."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

pp. 33, 34.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons, '`The

Lord's Vineyard," pp. 296-300.

"When Men Shall Revile You"

LESSON 10



❑

Tuesday

December 2

Part 3

BLINDED BY

THE GOD OF

THIS WORLD

THINK IT THROUGH

What are some of the reasons mentioned in the Bible for

which the messengers of God were persecuted?

"I did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Tim. 1:13). •

"In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of

the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the

gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:4, RSV).

"The hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is

offering service to God" (John 16:2, RSV).

Those persecuted for righteousness' sake have unanimously

pleaded extenuating circumstances for their persecutors.

Jesus set the example when on the cross He prayed, "Father,

forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

After openly accusing his audience of having "killed the Prince

of life," Peter, for his part, added, "Now, brethren, I wot that

through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers" (Acts 3:15,

17).

Speaking from experience, the apostle Paul explained that if

"the princes of this world" had known "the wisdom of God,"

"they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Cor. 2:6-8).

No one knew better than Paul how easily religious prejudice can

lead to violence. "I myself was convinced that I ought to do

many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth" (Acts

26:9, RSV).

Who is actually responsible for the constant war against

God's people throughout history?.Matt. 22:3-6; John 13:27;

2 Thess. 2:9; Eph. 6:11, 12.

Just as there is the mystery of godliness to designate the

incomprehensible work of God on the heart of man, there is also

a mystery of iniquity to indicate the work, no less mysterious, of

him whom the Bible calls "the Devil" and "Satan." He is the

antichrist, the great adversary of God's children. When he can-

not defeat them by violence, he tries to seduce them through

miracles.

What is the difference, essentially, between God's work on

men to make them His instruments and the work of Satan?

"God never forces the will or the conscience; but Satan's

constant resort—to gain control of those whom he cannot

otherwise seduce—is compulsion by cruelty. Through fear or

force he endeavors to rule the conscience and to secure hom-

age to himself. To accomplish this, he works through both

religious and secular authorities, moving them to the enforce-

ment of human laws in defiance of the law of God."—The

Great

Controversy,

p. 591.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 516, 517.

"When Men Shall Revile You"

LESSON 10



❑

Wednesday

December 3



Part 4



By what prophecy did God warn His people of the tribula-

THEY WILL tions that they would have to surmount?

POSSESS THE



EVERLASTING



"I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and

KINGDOM prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and

judgment was given to the saints of the most High."

"He shall speak great words against the most High, and

shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change

times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a

time and times and the dividing of time" (Dan. 7:21, 22, 25).

If, as the prophet Amos affirmed, "the Lord God will do noth-

ing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets"

(Amos 3:7), God would surely reveal the trouble that awaited His

people throughout history. With mathematical precision God

did unveil the 120 years of papal.persecution to Daniel. Seven

times this prophetic period is mentioned in the Bible (Dan. 7:25;

12:7; Rev. 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 13:5), each time in connection with

the war that the powers of darkness would wage against God's

people. In His prophetic discourse Jesus also alluded to this

dramatic time in the history of the Christian church. (See Matt.

24:8-10.)

What assurance does prophecy give concerning the out-

come of this war? Dan. 7:22, 27, 18.

"All earthly kings and governments will pass away, but the

kingdom of the Most High will endure forever. The usurpation

and misrule of the wicked may last for atime, but soon it will be

at an end. Then this earth will be restored to its rightful Owner,

who will share it with the•saints. Those who have long been

destitute and despised by men will soon be honored and exalted

by God."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 4, p. 830.



THINK IT THROUGH



Why was the persecution of the 1260-year prophecy short-

ened?

"The persecution of the church did not continue throughout

the entire period of the 1260 years. God in mercy to His people

cut short the time of their fiery trial. In foretelling the 'great

tribulation' to befall the church, the Saviour said: 'Except those

days should be shortened; there should no flesh be saved; but

for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.' Matthew

24:22. Through the influence of the Reformation the persecu-

tion was brought to an end prior to 1798."—The

Great Con-

troversy,

pp. 266, 267.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 346-348.

"When Men Shall Revile You"

LESSON 10



❑

Thursday

December 4



Part 5



How did Daniel describe the crisis that will precede the end

PREPARATION of all trials for God's people?

FOR THE TIME



OF TROUBLE



"At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which

standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a

time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation

even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be

delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book"

(Dan. 12:1).

In the last days God's people should not be deceived concern-

ing the future of the world and the coming crisis, which they

must still undergo and come through victoriously. God has not

left us in darkness regarding this subject. Not only has He given

us the Bible prophecies intended especially for Christians in the

end of time, but again through the spirit of prophecy He gave the

remnant church a clear vision of final events.

"The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of

the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete

fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the proph-

ecies will take

place."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, p. 14.

What reassuring promise did the Lord give His church con-

cerning the great trial ahead? Rev. 3:10.

"When the testing time shall come, those who have made

God's word their rule of life will be revealed. In summer there is

no noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees;

but when the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain

unchanged, while other trees are stripped of their foliage."—

The Great Controversy,

p. 602.

"None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of

the Bible will stand through the last great conflict."—The

Great

Controversy,

pp. 593, 594.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can I find more time to study the Bible and the spirit of

prophecy?

"We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save

us from accepting strong delusions. God has spoken to us

through His word. He has spoken to us through the testimonies

to the church and through the books that have helped to make

plain our present duty and the position that we should now

occupy. The warnings that have been given, line upon line,

precept upon precept, should be heeded. If we disregard them,

what excuse can we

offer?"—Testimonies,

vol. 8, p. 298.



FURTHER STUDY



Education,

pp. 178-184.

"When Men Shall Revile You"

LESSON 10



❑

Friday

December 5

Part 6



"What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and

THE REDEEMED whence came they? ... Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,

BEFORE THE THRONE These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have

OF GOD washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the

Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve

him day and night in his temple" (Rev. 7:13-15).

"The heirs of God have come from garrets, from hovels, from

dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains, from deserts, from

the caves of the earth, from the caverns of the sea. On earth they

were 'destitute, afflicted, tormented.' Millions went down to the

grave loaded with infamy because they steadfastly refused to

yield to the deceptive claims of Satan. By human tribunals they

were adjudged the vilest of criminals. But now 'God is judge

Himself.' Psalm 50:6. Now the decisions of earth are reversed.

. . . They [God's people] are no longer feeble, afflicted, scat-

tered, and oppressed. Henceforth they are to be ever with the

Lord. They stand before the throne clad in richer robes than the

most honored of the earth have ever worn. They are crowned

with diadems more glorious than were ever placed upon the

brow of earthly monarchs. The days of pain and weeping are

forever ended."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 650.

What will be the theme of the song of the redeemed? Rev.

15:3, 4.

"The plan of redemption will not be fully understood, even

when the ransomed see as they are seen and know as they are

known.... Though the griefs and pains and temptations of earth

are ended and the cause removed, the people of God will ever

have a distinct, intelligent knowledge of what their salvation has

cost."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 651.

THINK IT THROUGH

Now is the most favorable time to let God finish His work in

us and to wash our robes and make them white in the blood of

the Lamb.

"When Christ shall come, He will not change the character of

any individual. Precious, probationary time is given to be im-

proved in washing our robes of character and making them

white in the blood of the Lamb. To remove the stains of sin

requires the work of a lifetime. Every day renewed efforts in

restraining and denying self are needed. Every day there are

new battles to fight and victories to be gained. Every day the

soul should be called out in earnest pleading with God for the

mighty victories of the

cross."—Testimonies,

vol. 4, p. 429.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Without a Wedding Garment," pp.

310-312.

LESSON 11 December 7-13

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if

the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted? it is

thenceforth good for nothing, but to

be cast out, and to be trodden under

foot of men" (Matt. 5:13).

Jesus called His friends "the salt of

the earth." There are three important

points to note:

Jesus stressed the fact that His

followers were to use their

truth-filled insights to help others,

instead of flaunting them or letting

them go unused.

"Salt is valued for its preservative

properties; and when God calls His

children salt, He would teach them

that His purpose in making them the

subjects of His grace is that they may

become agents in saving others. The

object of God in choosing a people

before all the world was not only that

He might adopt them as His sons and

daughters, but that through them the

world might receive the grace that

bringeth salvation."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 35.

Jesus urged His followers to

meet people and actively share their

faith.

"Salt must be mingled with the

substance to which it is added; it

must penetrate and infuse in order to

preserve. So it is through personal

contact and association that men are

reached by the saving power of the

gospel. They are not saved in masses,

but as individuals. Personal

influence is a power. We must come

close to those whom we desire to

benefit."—Thoughts

From the

Mount of Blessing,

p. 36.

referring to His church as "the

salt of the earth" Jesus was issuing a

warning. Salt that has lost its savor

hasn't much value, and is usually

discarded and replaced.

Ellen White tells us what salt that

has lost its savor represents in the

Christian life: "It represents the life

of every soul from whom the power

of the grace of God has departed and

who has become cold and Christless.

Whatever may be his profession,

such a one is looked upon by men

and angels as insipid and

disagreeable. . .

. . . If there is no actual service,

no genuine love, no reality of

experience, there is no power to

help, no connection with heaven, no

savor of Christ in the life. Unless the

Holy Spirit can use us as agents

through whom to communicate to

the world the truth as it is in Jesus, we

are as salt that has lost its savor and is

entirely worthless."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 37.

A church that has been especially

called to represent God to the world

faces a constant danger of

contemplating its privilege to the

point of forgetting its great

responsibility. This week's lesson is

designed to renew our sense of

responsibility to share the insights

God has trusted to our care.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The Imagery of Salt

(Col. 4:6)

The Problem of Faithfulness

(Hosea 4:1)

Salt Is Love-1

(Matt. 5:44, 47)

Salt Is Love-2

(1 John 4:8)

Salt "Proves" God's Existence

(John 17:18)

Jesus, Salt of the Earth

(Luke 6:35)

"Ye Are the Salt"

LESSON 11



❑

Sunday

December 7

Part 1

THE IMAGERY

OF SALT

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

What meaning does Paul give to the metaphor of salt?

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Col.

4:6).

At the time of Christ's first advent, salt was used both to make

food palatable and to preserve it. Christ's hearers must have

been conscious of the role they should have been playing in

making attractive and preserving the values of the kingdom of

God in society. Jesus had just enunciated the operating princi-

ples of God's government in heaven as well as on earth. All

those who claimed to be friends of God had the responsibility of

living these principles as well as sharing them with their non-

believing friends.

What lesson may we learn from the fact that salt must be

added to food before it can be effective? How does Luke 14

support this idea?

Ellen White makes this comment about Jesus' style of

evangelism: "His work was largely made up of personal inter-

views. He had a faithful regard for the one-soul audience.

Through that one soul the message was -often extended to

thousands."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

p. 229.

Jesus took

areal

risk in coming to the world as a man. Are we

willing to take the real risks involved in getting close to indi-

viduals who haven't heard the truth about the kind of person

God is and the kinds of values He stands for?

How does Jesus' use of the salt metaphor help us refine our

ideas about missions and evangelism? (See Paul's descrip-

tion of his evangelism in 1 Corinthians 9:22.)

"In Christ's parable teaching the same principle is seen as in

His own mission to the world. That we might become ac-

quainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our

nature and dwelt among us.... So it was in Christ's teaching:

the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by

earthly things with which the people were most familiar."—

Christ's Object Lessons,

p. 17.

Surely there is a lesson in God's great effort to meet men and

women on a level that they could understand. The very idea of

God becoming man should challenge us to make certain that

our evangelistic outreach is understandable and attractive in

today's world.

What does it tell us about God that His Son, a perfect revela-

tion of Him, made imaginative use of parables and metaphors

to reach men and women?

Christ's Object Lessons,

"Teaching in Parables," pp. 17-27;

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, pp. 329, 330.

"Ye Are the Salt"

LESSON 11



❑

Monday

December 8

Part 2

THE PROBLEM

OF FAITH-

FULNESS

THINK IT THROUGH

What lack in Israel brought God's rebuke?

"Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord

hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because

there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land"

(Hosea 4:1).

How may we avoid becoming as savorless salt? From the

beginning peoples who have been set aside to be special repre-

sentatives of God have had a problem keeping God at the center

of their faith.

What conditions in the Laodicean church are equivalent to

savorless salt? Rev. 3:15-17.

In 1889 Ellen White wrote: "The message to the Laodicean

church is applicable to our condition. How plainly is pictured

the position of those who think they have all the truth, who take

pride in their knowledge of the Word of God, while its sanctify-

ing power has not been felt in their lives."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7,

p. 961.

In 1898 Ellen White wrote: "Those who live for self are ranged

under the head of the Laodicean church who are lukewarm,

neither cold nor hot. The ardor of the first love has lapsed into a

selfish egotism. . . . There may be a wonderful appearance for

zeal and ceremonies, but this is the substance of their self-

inflated religion."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible

Commentary, vol.

7, p. 962.

What would Ellen White write if she were alive today?

Why is the salt that has lost its savor worse than no salt at

all? What do Hosea 4:4-6 and Matthew 23:1-3 teach about this

principle?

"If Christians are such in name only, they are like the salt that

has lost its savor. They have no influence for good in the world.

Through their misrepresentation of God they are worse than

unbelievers."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 306.

Very religious people can, through their "misrepresentations

of God" (their refusal to believe that God is as gracious as

Jesus) do great damage to the very truths they cherish. The

practical solution is always to ask a question of any inspired

literature—What does this say about God?

The Laodicean message describes church members who

have become selfish; how can we apply this in not only a

material but a spiritual sense?

FURTHER STUDY



S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.

7, pp. 961, 962.

"Ye Are the Salt"

LESSON 11



❑

Tuesday

December 9



Part 3



In what sense should believers be more loving than non-

SALT IS believers?

LOVE-1

"I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse

you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which

despitefully use you, and persecute you."

"If ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than

others? do not even the publicans so?" (Matt. 5:44, 47).

Ellen White identifies salt with love

(Thoughts From the

Mount of Blessing,

p. 36), but she goes on to define it as a

special kind of love (see p. 38). It is the ability to love the

unlovable; it is intelligent love—active

and

imaginative love.

How does Jesus' love make it possible to love the unlov-

able? 1 John 4:11, 12.

"Love is not simply an impulse, a transitory emotion, depen-

dent upon circumstances; it is a living principle, a permanent

power.... The children of God love one another, truly, sincerely,

unaffectedly—`without partiality, and without hypocrisy.' . . .

Our affection for one another springs from our common rela-

tion to God. We are one family, we love one another as He loved

us. When compared with this true, sanctified, disciplined affec-

tion, the shallow courtesy of the world, the meaningless expres-

sions of effusive friendship, are as chaff to the wheat."—Ellen

G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 1140.

What dimension of Christian love makes it so effective in

this broken world? 1 Cor. 13:4-8.

"Love is power. Intellectual and moral strength are involved

in this principle, and cannot be separated from it. The power of

wealth has a tendency to corrupt and destroy; the power of

force is strong to do hurt; but the excellence and value of pure

love consist in its efficiency to do good, and to do nothing else

than good. . . .

.. Wherever the power of intellect, of authority, or of force is

employed, and love is not manifestly present, the affections and

will of those whom we seek to reach assume a defensive, repel-

ling position, and their strength of resistance is increased."—

Testimonies,

vol. 2, p. 135.

It is no wonder that Ellen White suggested that we read

1 Corinthians 13 on a daily basis.



THINK IT THROUGH



Do I love the unlovable? Is my self-confidence based on

worldly status or on the knowledge that I am accepted as a

son or a daughter of God?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 2, pp. 133-135.

"Ye Are the Salt"

LESSON 11



❑

Wednesday

December 10

Part 4

SALT IS

LOVE-2

What does our failure to be loving (the "salt of the earth")

show about our relationship with God?

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love"

(1 John 4:8).

In part 3 of this lesson we considered Jesus' efforts at refining

man's understanding of what it means to love his fellowman.

Happily, our Lord also renewed the vertical definition of love,

that is the love between an individual and God.

What efforts that duplicate his appeal to Eve does Satan

make today to produce savorless salt in God's church? Gen.

3:4, 5.

"From the beginning it has been Satan's studied plan to

cause men to forget God, that he might secure them to himself.

Therefore he has sought to misrepresent the character of God,

to lead men to cherish a false conception of Him. The Creator

has been presented to their minds as clothed with the attributes

of the prince of evil himself—as arbitrary, severe, and unfor-

giving—that He might be feared, shunned, and even hated by

men. . . .

"Christ came to reveal God to the world as a God of love, a

God of mercy, tenderness, and compassion."—In

Heavenly

Places,

p. 8.

How would you relate Jesus' words to Philip (John 14:9) with

the serpent's words to Eve (Gen.

3:4, 5)?

In a spirit of humility Jesus was constantly encouraging His

disciples to think of God in terms of the example of His own

everyday life. The disciples had difficulty accepting this. Simply

put, the gospel says that God is as nice as Jesus. To be truly

Christian is to make Jesus normative for all we think and say

about God and heaven. "Had God the Father come to our world

and dwelt among us, humbling Himself, veiling His glory, that

humanity might look upon Him, the history that we have of the

life of Christ would not have been changed.... In every act of

Jesus, in every lesson of His instruction, we are to see and hear

and recognize God. In sight, in hearing, in effect, it is the voice

and movements of the Father."—That 1

May Know Him,

p. 338.



THINK IT THROUGH



Has Jesus' life become normative for what I think about my

heavenly Father?



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

p. 22;

Thoughts. From the Mount of Bless-

ing,

"The Beatitudes" (Matt. 5:8), p. 25; "The Lord's Prayer"

(Luke 11:4), p. 115.

"Ye Are the Salt"

LESSON 11



❑

Thursday

December 11



Part 5



How does Christianity, devoutly lived, give evidence of

SALT "PROVES" God's existence?

GOD'S



EXISTENCE



"As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also

sent them into the world" (John 17:18).

The late-in-life reconverted British journalist Malcolm

Muggeridge once sat observing pilgrims file through the tradi-

tional birthplace of Christ in Bethlehem. He noticed the

cameras, the garish sport shirts, the postcards and tourist

bric-a-brac. But he also noticed the silence and the look upon

the faces, and he contrasted this reverence with the great

tragedies we read about in the newspapers every day and con-

cluded that it took something divine to set something as magni-

ficent as Christianity in motion, and it takes something divine to

sustain it. Not conclusive proof, but certainly evidence of the

existence of a loving God.

What should the reality of the Christian church say about

God? John 17:21, 23.

"Christians who are purified through the truth will possess

saving qualities that preserve the world from utter moral

corruption."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 36.

What reaction can faithful Christians expect as they work to

uphold the kingdom of heaven in this world? John 15:20.

It is true that the world loves sin and hates righteousness. And

it is equally true that we are not to withdraw from the world in

order to escape persecution. (See

The Desire of Ages,

p. 306.)

But have we considered the problems the remnant will have

with professedly religious people? Remember that Jesus died

at the hands of fellow "believers." "The darkest chapters of

history are burdened with the record of crimes committed by

bigoted religionists. The Pharisees claimed to be children of

Abraham, and boasted of their possession of the oracles of

God; yet these advantages did not preserve them from selfish-

ness, malignity, greed for gain, and the basest hypocrisy."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 309.



THINK IT THROUGH



Have we squared all our beliefs with the life of Christ, or do

we cherish ideas that are not in harmony with the spirit of His

life?



FURTHER STUDY



Selected Messages,

bk. 2, p. 87;

Testimonies,

vol. 6, p. 54.

"Ye Are the Salt"

LESSON 11



❑

Friday

December 12

Part 6

JESUS,

SALT OF

THE EARTH

THINK IT THROUGH

How may God serve as our example in presenting the truth?

"Love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for

nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be

the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful

and to the evil" (Luke 6:35).

The Sermon on the Mount, addressed primarily to the disci-

ples, was to help them turn in a direction much different from

the one they had traveled all their lives. It is a gentle, yet specific,

summary of the values that pervade heaven. Instead of an out-

right attack on the disciples' ideas, Jesus was tactfully offering

as an alternative the truth about God and about heaven and

about the responsibilities of God's children.

What method did Jesus use when dealing with men seeking

to trick Him? Luke 10:29-37.

Note the comment Ellen White makes about those to whom

Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan: "He [Jesus) did

not denounce the bigotry of those who were watching to con-

demn Him. But by a simple story He held up before His hearers

such a picture of the outflowing of heaven-born love as touched

all hearts, and drew from the lawyer a confession of the truth.

"The way to dispel darkness is to admit light. The best way to

deal with error is to present truth. It is the revelation of God's

love that makes manifest the deformity and sin of the heart

centered in self."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 498.

How personal was the appeal of Christ's preaching? What

do you think it was like to hear Jesus preach? Might Revela-

tion 3:20 offer a clue? '

By dwelling on the truth instead of giving consistent attention

to error, Jesus won His way into many of the hearts of His

hearers.

"When Jesus spoke, it was not with hesitating uncertainty,

with repetition of words and familiar figures. The truth came

from his lips clothed in new and interesting representations that

gave it the freshness of a new revelation. His voice was never

pitched to an unnatural key, and his words came with an ear-

nestness and assurance appropriate to their importance and

the momentous consequences involved in their reception or

rejection."—Ellen G. White,

Review and Herald,

Jan. 7, 1890.

Do we expend too much time correcting those who don't see

things as we do and not enough time testing our ideas against

Jesus' ideas and style?

FURTHER STUDY



Counsels on Sabbath School Work,

pp. 30-33.

'Ye

lee t

LESSON 12 December 14-20

"In him was life; and the life was

the light of men" (John 1:4).

God has called Seventh-day

Adventists to share an experience of

His love and wisdom, to share their

remarkable insights into the history

of the great controversy and their

knowledge of God's character with

the rest of the world.

Imagine for a moment that you

have been invited to a non-Adventist

gathering. In a conversation with the

person sitting next to you, the

subject turns to religion. Suppose he

asks you something like this: "What

do you Seventh-day Adventists mean

when you call yourselves the true

church, or the light of the world for

the last days? Do you mean to say that

you are better than the rest of the

Christian world?" How would you

answer?

The Christlike answer would have

two elements in it: (a) You would

have to confirm that your church

does have unique insights to share

with the world, and (b) that you, far

from being elevated or decorated by

God, are a servant—that you, as with

every member of the human family,

stand in need of the grace and

forgiveness of God.

Paul's ministry was a superb

example of balancing a sense of

humility with the knowledge that

God had called him to share special

truths. Read the first chapter of

1 Timothy for instance. Note the

balance between Paul's humility and

his confidence in the message that

God had committed him to preach.

Of him Ellen White says: "Paul's life

was an exemplification of the truths

he taught, and herein lay his power.

His heart was filled with a deep,

abiding sense of his responsibility,

and he labored in close communion

with Him who is the fountain of

justice, mercy, and truth. He clung to

the cross of Christ as his only

guarantee of success. The love of the

Saviour was the undying motive that

upheld him in his conflicts with self

and in his struggles against evil as in

the service of Christ he pressed

forward against the unfriendliness of

the world and the opposition of his

enemies."—The

Acts of the

Apostles,

p. 507.

In terms of their responsibility to

be the light of the world, church

members have three alternatives.

They may, as their first-century

spiritual ancestors did, become

religiously exclusive, arrogant, and

selfish. They may hoard their

blessings' under the guise of

maintaining internal purity.

Second, some church members

may conclude that the cost of

discipleship is too high. Evangelism

becomes a means of getting close to

the world they have come to adore.

As the argument runs, they must

become very knowledgeable in the

ways of the world in order that they

might reach nonbelievers.

Happily, there is a third alternative

for those who wish to take seriously

the commission to be the light of the

world. It is a Christlike missionary

motive which balances humility and

a sense of service with gleaming

confidence in the values of the

kingdom of heaven. This involves a

compulsion to share.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The Problem of Darkness

(John 3:19)

The Symbol of Light

(2 Cor. 4:6)

Your Good Works

(Matt. 5:16)

Glorify Your Father

(John 17:4)

Light Involves Confidence

(Matt. 5:15)

A Quality of People

(Hosea 6:6)

"Ye Are the Light"

LESSON 12



❑

Sunday

December 14

Part 1



How should we understand the spiritual darkness of our

THE PROBLEM world?

OF DARKNESS

"This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light, because their

deeds were evil" (John 3:19).

In order to light the world effectively, God's people must

understand what constitutes the spiritual, darkness of their

world. In order to establish evangelistic priorities, we need to

consider what the Bible and the spirit of prophecy have singled

out as the world's main problem.

How is darkness defined by Paul in Romans 1:19-25?

Let us refer back to a cornerstone passage in

The Desire of

Ages

as we attempt to set priorities for witnessing to our non-

Adventist friends. "The earth was dark through misapprehen-

sion of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that

the world might be brought back to God, Satan's deceptive

power was to be broken. . . . To know God is to love Him; His

character must be manifested in contrast to the character of

Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do.

Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could

make it known."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 22.

What does Paul say most sinners have chosen instead of

the revelation of God's character? Rom. 1:26-31.

THINK IT THROUGH

Unhappily, relatively few people in every generation have

accepted Jesus' revelation of God's love. Few have been willing

to accept Jesus' life as evidence that the law of God—the value

system that sustains the universe—offers the best possible way

of living. "As the evil passions and purposes of men banished

God from their thoughts, so forgetfulness of Him inclined them

more strongly to evil. The heart in love with sin clothed Him with

its own attributes, and this conception strengthened the power

of sin. Bent on self-pleasing, men came to regard God as such a

one as themselves—a Being whose aim was self-glory, whose

requirements were suited to His own pleasure; a Being by whom

men were lifted up or cast down according as they helped or

hindered His selfish

purpose."—Education,

p. 75.

Are our personal witnessing efforts articulately directed at

the main problem facing men and women—the problem of

depreciating the values God stands for?

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 35-38.

"Ye Are the Light"

LESSON 12



❑

Monday

December 15

Part 2

THE SYMBOL

OF LIGHT

In what sense are Christians the light of the world?

"God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of

the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6).

Clearly, Christians are the light of the world only in the sense

of service and not in the sense of having something which

draws attention to themselves or even their church. Even as

they are reflectors rather than sources of light, they should seek

to draw the attention of the world, not to themselves, but to

heaven.

What did Jesus mean when He referred to His disciples as

the light of the world? Matt. 5:14.

As she did at the very outset of her book on the Sermon on the

Mount, Ellen White encourages us to consider the context of

Jesus' remark about believers' being the light of the world.

Clearly, the servant of the Lord wants us to avoid making the

same mistake our spiritual ancestors made. She said: "The

people had come together while it was yet morning. The glori-

ous sun, climbing higher and higher in the blue sky, was chas-

ing away the shadows that lurked in the valleys and among the

narrow defiles of the mountains. . . .

"No other light ever has shone or ever will shine upon fallen

man save that which emanates from Christ. Jesus, the Saviour,

is the only light that can illuminate the darkness of a world lying

sin."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

pp. 38, 39.

Consider the impact Jesus had on His hearers, when they

could see shadows disappearing at the very moment they were

listening to the Saviour. The message was plain; consecrated

individuals would clear away misconceptions that had enslaved

the world.

Are we really the light of the world? 1 John 1:5.

More properly, we are reflectors of the Light of the world. "As

Christ is the channel for the revelation of the Father, so we are to

be the channel for the revelation of Christ. . . . The church of

Christ, every individual disciple of the Master, is heaven's ap-

pointed channel for the revelation of God to

men."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 40.



THINK IT THROUGH



What must I do to be an effective channel for the revelation

of God and His values to the world?



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:14), pp. 38-44;

The Desire of Ages,

pp. 463, 464.

"Ye Are the Light"

LESSON 12



❑

Tuesday

December 16



Part 3



Of what value are our good works?

YOUR GOOD



WORKS



"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your

good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt.

5:16).

Ever since the fall of mankind, the human family has needed a

point of reference to check the trustworthiness of God's values

and requirements. Being the guardian of freedom that He is,

God does not ask men and women to do anything without first

giving them evidence of His love and concern for them. Hence,

He has always sought to have a people who would communi-

cate His love, thus demonstrating His trustworthiness. In mod-

ern times the word

works

has come to have a negative connota-

tion because it is often associated with pride and the attempt to

earn salvation by obligating God. Actually

works

is a good word,

if it means, for instance, demonstrating the benefits of living our

God's ideals.

Was Jesus taking a risk in encouraging His disciples to let

the world see their good works? Matt. 23:5.

"In like manner the disciples of Christ are set as light bearers

on the way to heaven; through them the Father's mercy and

goodness are made manifest to a world enshrouded in the

darkness of misapprehension of God. By seeing their good

works, others are led to glorify the Father who is above; for it is

made manifest that there is a God on the throne of the universe

whose character is worthy of praise and imitation."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 41.

"Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful

argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity.... Men

will believe, not what the minister preaches, but what the

church lives. Too often the influence of the sermon preached

from the pulpit is counteracted by the sermon preached in the

lives of those who claim to be advocates of truth."—

Testimonies,

vol. 9, p. 21.

What makes works "good"? Matt. 6:1-3.

"Every ray of light that we shed upon others is reflected upon

ourselves. Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the

sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to

the needy, if prompted by a right motive, will result in blessings

to the

giver."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

p. 218.



THINK IT THROUGH



What constitutes the right motive in doing good works?



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"True Motive in Ser-

vice" (Matt. 6:1), pp. 79-83.

100

"Ye Are the Light"

LESSON 12



❑

Wednesday

December 17

Part 4

GLORIFY

YOUR FATHER

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

How may we glorify God, who is all glory?

"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work

which thou gayest me to do" (John 17:4). (Read also verses 5,

6.)

By revealing God, Jesus glorified God. The highest compli-

ment that can be paid any person is that he or she speaks well of

God. (See Job 42:7.) Often God is portrayed as being like an

earthly despot who demands praise and adulation from his

subjects. But Jesus' life cancels this picture, for in it we see God

wanting nothing more from created beings than that they know

and share His love for them.

What does the Bible mean when it refers to God's glory? "The

word of God reveals His character. He Himself has declared His

infinite love and pity. When Moses prayed, 'Show me Thy glory,'

the Lord answered, 'I will make all My goodness pass before

thee.' Exodus 33:18, 19. This is His glory."—Steps

to Christ,

10.

If God's glory equals His character, then the process of

glorifying God amounts to speaking well of His character by

faithfully living out His principles in our lives. Glorifying God

means worshiping Him as our Friend and Saviour rather than as

a harsh and tyrannical ruler.

"Satan led men to conceive of God as a being whose chief

attribute is stern justice,—one who is a severe judge, a harsh,

exacting creditor. He pictured the Creator as a being who is

watching with jealous eye to discern the errors and mistakes of

men, that He may visit judgments upon them. It was to remove

this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of

God, that Jesus came to live among men."—Steps

to Christ,

11.

Is it sufficient for our Christian experience just to admire

God? 2 Cor. 5:11, 14.

Actually true admiration for God involves a compulsion to

share what we know to be true about Him with others. Indif-

ferent admiration is not admiration at all. Ellen White reminds

us, "We are not only to contemplate the glory of Christ, but also

to speak of His excellences. Isaiah not only beheld the glory of

Christ, but he also spoke of Him.... Who can by faith behold the

wonderful plan of redemption, the glory of the only-begotten

Son of God, and not speak of

it?"—Thoughts From the Mount of

Blessing,

p. 43.

Does my life glorify my Creator?

The Acts of the Apostles,

p. 576;

Christ's Object Lessons,

"To

Meet the Bridegroom," p. 414;

Counsels to Teachers,

p. 30.

101

"Ye Are the Light"

LESSON 12



❑

Thursday

December 18

Part 5

LIGHT

INVOLVES

CONFIDENCE

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

102

How may we become effective lights for Christ? How may

we put our lights for God on candlesticks?

"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the

house" (Matt. 5:15).

We cannot give what we do not have. We need to study God's

Word in order to be effective witnesses for Him in this world.

What is more, life is not static. From day to day we become more

and more like the things and people we think about and admire.

How can we know the way of salvation? 2 Tim.

3:15.

Ellen White cautions us that "the great work of life is charac-

ter building, and a knowledge of God isthe foundation of all true

education. . . .

"It is a law of the mind that it gradually adapts itself to the

subjects upon which it is trained to dwell. If occupied with

commonplace matters only, it will become dwarfed and enfee-

bled. If never required to grapple with difficult problems, it will

after a time almost lose the power of growth. As an educating

power the Bible is without a

rival."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

596.

As church members, what we really need is firm confidence in

the fact that a study of the Bible, contemplating the stories

recorded there, will refine and polish us. Such study will groom

our tastes and improve our ability to converse with people.

What did Jesus teach that God was willing and able to do?

Matt. 7:11.

The initial sin in heaven was disbelief about the goodness and

wisdom of God. In the end, those who would be saved must

develop precisely the opposite attitude. They, like Job, must be

absolutely, unmovably certain that God is wise and fair and

loving, that He asks only of them what is for their best good.

They must be sealed: "It is not any seal or mark that can be seen,

but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so

they cannot be moved."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol.

p. 1161. We cannot acquire this level

of confidence in God and in our Saviour without giving consis-

tent attention to the divine character revealed in the 66 books of

the Bible and in the pages of the spirit of prophecy.

How seriously do I take my need for daily contact with the

Word of God?

Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 596-599.

"Ye Are the Light"

LESSON 12



❑

Friday

December 19

What does God expect from His light bearers?

"I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of

God more than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6).

Some religions speak of sanctifying things, places, animals,

seasons, and heroes of the past, while the character develop-

ment of living believers virtually is ignored. Not so with

Seventh-day Adventist Christianity, for it is about people—

people who are becoming more Christlike all the time.

What ongoing process are believers to experience? 2 Cor.

3:18.

Adventists are not ashamed of emphasizing Christlike

change. They ask, Is it not reasonable to want to change and be

gracious? Sanctification has nothing to do with earning salva-

tion. It has everything to do with admiring the obedience, the

sense of humility, and the effective service displayed so vividly

in Christ's life. "Trials patiently borne, blessings gratefully re-

ceived, temptations manfully resisted, meekness, kindness,

mercy, and love habitually revealed, are the lights that shine

forth in the character in contrast with the darkness of the selfish

heart, into which the light of life has never

shone."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing.

p. 44. Does not a person of this

quality have an enviable life-style?

How does the process of Christlike change occur? 2 Peter

1:3,

"It is not by looking away from Him that we imitate the life of

Jesus, but by talking of Him, by dwelling upon His perfections,

by seeking to refine the taste and elevate the character, by

trying—through faith and love, and by earnest, persevering

effort—to approach the perfect Pattern. By having a knowledge

of Christ—His words, His habits, and His lessons of

instruction—we borrow the virtues of the character we have so

closely studied, and become imbued with the spirit we have so

much admired."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible

Commentary,

vol. 6, pp. 1098, 1099.

Part 6

A QUALITY

OF PEOPLE

THINK IT THROUGH

"The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of

sin; it means taking away our sins, and filling the vacuum with

the graces of the Holy Spirit."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

pp.

419, 420. Do we pray for change as well as forgiveness?

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 825-827;

Christ's Object Lessons,

"To

Meet the Bridegroom," pp. 419-421.

103

LESSON 13 December 21-27

13.The Two Gates

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for

wide is the gate, and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction, and many

there be which go in thereat. . . .

"Even so every good tree bringeth

forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit" (Matt. 7:13,

17).

"Two roads diverged in a wood,

and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the

difference."

So wrote Robert Frost in his poem

"The Road Not Taken."

The concept of two roads or

gates—one being broad and

appealing, the other, narrow and

foreboding—is common to both

secular and religious literature.

Usually the metaphor of two ways

refers to our struggles with self-will,

in opposition to God's will. Ellen

White offers this interpretation:

"The reason many in this age of the

world make no greater advancement

in the divine life is because they

interpret the will of God to be Just

what they will to do. While following

their own desires, they flatter

themselves that they are conforming

to God's will . These have no conflicts

with self. There are others who for a

time are successful in the struggle

against their selfish desire for

pleasure and ease. They are sincere

and earnest, but grow weary of

protracted effort, of daily death, of

ceaseless turmoil. Indolence seems

inviting, death to self repulsive; and

they close their drowsy eyes and fall

under the power of temptation

instead of resisting it."—

The Acts of

the Apostles,

p. 565.

In an age when many Christians

feel satisfied in merely possessing

some vague notions about God's

promise of forgiveness and

salvation, Adventists stand out in

vivid contrast. Our church

confidently speaks of not only the

desirability of, but the possibility of

real character development, now, in

this life. We believe that God daily

offers both the pardon and the

power we need to effect Christlike

change in our lives.

Adventists look forward to the

state of affairs described in this

popular passage: "The great

controversy is ended. Sin and

sinners are no more. The entire

universe is clean. One pulse of

harmony and gladness beats through

the vast creation. From Him who

created all, flow life and light and

gladness, throughout the realms of

illimitable space. From the minutest

atom to the greatest world, all things,

animate and inanimate, in their

unshadowed beauty and perfect joy,

declare that God is love."

—The

Great. Controversy,

678. Adventists

live the promise of Revelation 21:5,

"Behold, I make all things new."

They believe that "it was His [Jesus']

mission to bring to men complete

restoration; He came to give them

health and peace and perfection of

character."—The

Ministry of

Healing,

p. 17. And Seventh-day

Adventists believe this complete

healing begins now, in this life.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

What You See Is Not What

You Get

(Prov. 14:12)

Think Things Through

(John 17:3)

Self-control Is Required

(Prov. 25:28)

Strivers

(Luke 13:24)

Free to Be Myself

(Matt. 11:28)

Jesus Leads the Way

(John 14:6)

The Two Gates

LESSON 13



❑

Sunday

December 21



Part 1



How do we know which gate to enter? Consider Proverbs

WHAT YOU SEE 14:12.

IS NOT WHAT



YOU GET



"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end

thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12).

Choice and taste play a large part in our ability to live a

Christlike life. The more these are indulged selfishly, the more

difficult it is to perceive the right decision in any given situation.

This is what happened to the Pharisees. Unbeknown to them,

Satan had substituted his values and characteristics to the point

that they behaved more satanically when they thought they

were doing God's will.

Psalm 1 speaks of the same principles as the illustration of

the two gates. What does it indicate that makes one way

pleasurable and the other one painful?

God respects freedom, but there are consequences to our

acts. "All along the road that leads to death there are pains and

penalties, there are sorrows and disappointments, there are

warnings not to go on. God's love has made it hard for the

heedless and headstrong to destroy themselves."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 139.

On the contrary, the narrow road may be very rewarding.

"God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our

best interest to retain. . . .

"It is a mistake to entertain the thought that God is pleased to

see His children suffer. All heaven is interested in the happiness

of man. Our heavenly Father does not close the avenues of joy to

any of His creatures. The divine requirements call upon us to

shun those indulgences that would bring suffering and disap-

pointment, that would close to us the door of happiness and

heaven."—Steps

to Christ,

p. 46.

What thoughts do you find in Colossians 3:1, 2 that point out

what helps us choose the right gate?

Speaking of Jacob's all-night struggle with the angel, Ellen

White says, "Jacob, in the great crisis of his life, turned aside to

pray. He was filled with one overmastering purpose—to seek for

transformation of character."—Thoughts

From the Mount of

Blessing,

p. 144. Not making excuses, not procrastinating, not

doubting God's power to change us into the likeness of His

image—this leads the Christian to the right gate.



THINK IT THROUGH



Do I really want to educate my tastes and my power of

choice?



FURTHER STUDY



Fundamentals of Christian Education,

p. 84;

Child Guidance,

p. 484.

106

The Two Gates

LESSON 13



❑

Monday

December 22



Part 2



Why is it important to have a correct understanding of God

THINK and Jesus?



THINGS



"This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true

THROUGH God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

Heaven will be populated with people who have a variety of

opinions on given doctrines. Each individual has specific

spiritual needs; each will emphasize a different aspect of a

given doctrine. However, these varied emphases will all fit on a

spectrum of truthful Bible interpretation. It matters, for in-

stance, that we believe in the mortal nature of man and the

resurrection rather than in the immortality of the soul.

What thought in Luke 24:25-27, 44-48 helps us understand

what the correct interpretation of Scripture has to do with

entering the gate of life?

"In the road to death the whole race may go, with all their

worldliness, all their selfishness, all their pride, dishonesty, and

moral debasement. There is room for every man's opinions and

doctrines, space to follow his inclinations, to do whatever his

self-love may dictate. In order to go in the path that leads to

destruction, there is no need of searching for the way; for the

gate is

wide."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 138.

In the wide gate it not only doesn't matter what we think, it

happens not to matter whether we think at all.

"Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man

in the place of God. He leads the people to look to bishops, to

pastors, to professors of theology, as their guides, instead of

searching the Scriptures to learn their duty for themselves."—

The Great Controversy,

p. 595.

Why does it matter that we understand Christian doctrine?

John 8:32.

"The position that it is of no consequence what men believe is

one of Satan's most successful deceptions. He knows that the

truth, received in the love of it, sanctif ies the soul of the receiver;

therefore he is constantly seeking to substitute false theories,

fables, another gospel."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 520.

Obviously, what we think and believe effects change in our

lives.



THINK IT THROUGH



Are my theological principles inherited, or are they estab-

lished through personal study?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 520-523, 528.

107

The Two Gates

LESSON 13



❑

Tuesday

December 23

Part 3

SELF-CONTROL

IS REQUIRED

What is the relation of self-discipline to salvation?

"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is

broken down, and without walls" (Prov. 25:28).

The Christian's argument against such phenomena as drugs,

alcohol, hypnotism, and spiritualism rests in a belief that these

violate an individual's ability for self-determination. The poten-

tial for personal fulfillment is related to the amount of self-

discipline one has. The Christian finds success in self-discipline

by surrender of his will to God.

How does the will help us in our battle against sin? Phil. 2:13.

"The Christian life is a battle and a march. But the victory to be

gaindd is not won by human power. The field of conflict is the

domain of the heart. The battle which we have to fight—the

greatest battle that was ever fought by man—is the surrender of

self to the will of God, the yielding of the heart to the sovereignty

of love. The old nature, born of blood and of the will of the flesh,

cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The hereditary tendencies,

the former habits, must be given

up."—Thoughts From the

Mount of Blessing,

p. 141.

Will self-control eliminate sin in our lives? Rom. 7:15-20.

Christians are divided as to whether Romans 7 describes a

pre- or post-conversion state. However, almost all agree that

sanctification is the work of a lifetime. Certainly all the self-

control in the world without a relationship of dependence upon

God is of little ultimate value. But God understands this. "When

it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this

end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man's best

service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine

merit. But He will not accept those who claim to have faith in

Him, and yet are disloyal to His Father's commandment. We

hear a great deal about faith, but we need to hear a great deal

more about works. Many are deceiving their own souls by living

an easy-going, accommodating, crossless religion."—Selected

Messages,

bk. 1, p. 382.



THINK IT THROUGH



How much time do I spend in prayer and Bible study seeking

to understand the will of God?



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"First the Blade, Then the Ear," pp.

65, 66.

108

The Two Gates

LESSON 13



❑

Wednesday

December 24

Part 4

STRIVERS

In what sense should Christians strive to be saved?

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you,

will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24).

We live in a time of de-emphasis on striving to keep God's law.

Yet Luke says, "Strive [Greek:

agonizomai]!"

Commenting on

this, Ellen White suggests: "I have stated before them that, from

what was shown me, but a small number of those now profess-

ing to believe the truth would eventually be saved—not because

they could not be saved, but because they would not be saved in

God's own appointed way. The way marked out by our divine

Lord is too narrow and the gate too strait to admit them while

grasping the world or while cherishing selfishness or sin of any

kind. . .

"The words of Christ are plain: 'Strive [agonize] to enter in at

the strait gate.'

"—Testimonies,

vol. 2, pp. 445, 446.

What prevents striving after righteousness from being mere

salvation by works? Phil. 1:21.

"Day by day, and hour by hour, there must be a vigorous

process of self-denial and of sanctification going on within; and

then the outward works will testify that Jesus is abiding in the

heart by faith.... Strive, but let it be in the strength of your risen

Saviour."—Fundamentals of Christian Education,

pp. 136, 137.

What do Micah 6:8 and 7:7-9 say that can help us under-

stand how we can strive and yet remain absolutely dependent

upon God?

"The victory is not won without much earnest prayer, without

the humbling of self at every step. Our will is not to be forced

into co-operation with divine agencies, but it must be voluntar-

ily submitted. Were it possible to force upon you with a hun-

dredfold greater intensity the influence of the Spirit of God, it

would not make you a Christian, a fit subject for heaven."—

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 142.

We must be convinced that Christ offers a blueprint for living.

We must want to be like Him. We must be fascinated by His

life-style more than by the life-styles of the world's celebrities

and heroes.



THINK IT THROUGH



Am I convinced that Jesus' life displays values that are

effective in today's world?



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"Not Judging, but

Doing" (Luke 13:24), pp. 141-144.

109

The Two Gates

LESSON 13



❑

Thursday

December 25

Part 5

FREE TO

BE MYSELF

What did Jesus say that helps us see the result of squeezing

through the narrow gate?

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I

will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).

It is paradoxical but true that the denial of self enhances

personal freedom and therefore peace and satisfaction. Not

that the denial of self means living a shriveled and shallow life;

on the contrary, "the development of all our powers is the first

duty we owe to God and to our fellow

men."—Christ's Object

Lessons,

p. 329.

The narrow gate is the gate of self-worth, the wide one of

selfishness. There is a vast difference between the two.

From Philippians 2:3, what can we pinpoint as the cause of

most of our problems?

"There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care

because they seek to reach the world's standard. They have

chosen its service, accepted its perplexities, adopted its cus-

toms. Thus their character is marred, and their life made a

weariness. In order to gratify ambition and worldly desires, they

wound the conscience, and bring upon themselves an addi-

tional burden of remorse. The continual worry is wearing out,

the life forces. . . .

"It is the love of self that brings unrest. . . . The value of our

work does not consist in making a show and noise in the world,

and in being active and zealous in our own strength."—The

Desire of Ages,

pp. 330, 331.

What is the best way to rid our lives of selfishness? Matt.

16:24.

"Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case

before the-Lord. . . The way will be opened for you to disen-

tangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty. The weaken

and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you

become in His strength. . . .

"In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with

God, there was perfect peace. He was never elated by applause,

nor dejected by censure or disappointment. . . .

" ... When our will is swallowed up in the will of God, and we

use His gifts to bless others, we shall find life's burden light."—

The Desire of Ages,

pp. 329-331.

Consider how much of our personal difficulties and embar-

rassments are the results of self-assertion.

Steps to Christ, "Consecration," pp. 43-46.

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

110

the Two Gates

LESSON 13



❑

Friday

December 26

Part 6

JESUS LEADS

THE WAY

THINK IT THROUGH

How does Jesus help us through the narrow gate?

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

One of the great principles of Christianity is that God wouldn't

ask His friends to do anything He would not do. Jesus' life

reveals this to be true. God only asks of His creatures what is for

their best possible good. But for many this concept is difficult to

accept. Few have believed Christ's words, "He that hath seen

me hath seen the Father." Few have transferred what they think

about the Son to what they think about the Father.

In what way does Jesus guarantee the quality of God's

value system or message? John 17:6-8.

"If we ever attain unto holiness, it will be through the renunci-

ation of self and the reception of the mind of Ch rist."—

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 143.

Jesus lived God's values. By accepting, as Ellen White

suggests, the "mind of Christ," we accept His confidence in the

values of the kingdom of God.

Note this gracious warning: "He who feels whole, who thinks

that he is reasonably good, and is contented with his condition,

does not seek to become a partaker of the grace and righteous-

ness of Christ."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 7.

"There are many in the broad way who are not fully satisfied

with the path in which they walk. . . . They look toward the

narrow way and the strait gate; but selfish pleasure, love of the

world, pride, unsanctified ambition, place a barrier between

them and the Saviour.... They desire the good, they make some

effort to obtain it; but they do not choose it; they have not a

settled purpose to secure it at the cost of all things."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 143.

In what sense does Jesus bring the kingdom of heaven to

fulfillment for us in this life? John 15:15, 16.

"As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We

respond to His invitation, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming

we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to

God through Christ."—The

Desire of. Ages,

p. 331.

Have I accepted Jesus' life as evidence that the principles

Jesus enumerated in the Sermon on the Mount represent the

best way to live?

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 9-12.

111

S%S4C1)

Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Lessons for the

first quarter of 1981 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first two

lessons. The title of the series is THE CHURCH—SERVANT TO THE WORLD.

First Lesson

GOD STILL IN CONTROL

Memory Text, Rom. 11:33.

Freedom to Sin (Isa.

14:12)

Choosing to Sin (Gen. 3:6)

Responding to Sin (Gen. 3:22)

People and Prophets (Ex. 20:2)

God With Us (Matt. 1:23)

Into All the World (John 3:17)

Second Lesson

BUILT ON THE ROCK

Memory Text, 1 Cor. 3:11.

Inadequate Answers (Matt. 16:14)

A Basic Confession (Matt. 16:16)

Truth Revealed (Matt. 16:17)

The Rock Foundation (Matt. 16:18)

Power to Survive (Matt. 16:18)

Authority Confirmed (Matt. 16:19)

Lessons in 3raille

The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in

Braille and 16

rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons

who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of

arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth,

cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian

Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.

LARGE-PRINT

.Adult Sabbath School Lessons Available

•

Large-Print Adult Sabbath School Lestons are available$Com-

pare the two copes held by Elder A. R. Mazat and see what a help

the large print is!

Please send



subscriptions for large-print quarterlies at $6.00 per year

to U.S. addresses, $7.40 per year to addresses outside U.S.

Name



Street



City



State (Province)



Zip



Order through your local church lay activities secretary or your Adventist Book Center. Prices subject to change

without notice.

31P.I-

Ha AR

618 tOM

BIBLE COMMENTARY

"...

40,

11..o, •

RIRIE'DICTIONARY

161,11 ATAS

make sure you have

taken advantage of the General Conference session

special offer for purchasing individual volumes or the complete

set of

The SDA Bible Commentary.

Until the end of 1980 you

can make a substantial savings when completing your set. The

regular price of the ten-volume set is US$179.75—now US$149.95.

Individual volumes are regularly US$19.75, now US$16.95. Please

include sales tax as applicable and add 10 percent to cover

mailing costs.

Order from your local Adventist Book Center or

ABC Mailing Service, P.O. Box 37485, Omaha,

Nebraska 68137.

In Canada: ABC Mailing Service, P.O. Box 398,

Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7L5

REVIEW AND HERALD

PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

rila

ice Seopeti On.

Four titles that will make you richer while

studying this quarter's lessons.

Jesus the Leader

by R. R. Bietz

This book explores the leadership qualities of Jesus. Throughout the centuries most

religious movements which started in a small way developed into powerful forces be-

cause of dedicated and forceful leadership. These movements continued to expand as

long as leaders of vision and dedication were at the helm. U.S. $3.50

Christ Our Salvation

by Hans LaRondelle, Th.D.

The author here reviews the essential truths of the Christian gospel. He does not avoid

the problems that have divided the Christian church for centuries—he faces them with

intellectual vigor and Christian joy. U.S. $4.95.

Understanding the Living Word of God

by Gerhard F. Hasel, Ph.D.

In this fascinating scholarly work, easily read by the thoughtful church member, Dr.

Hasel leads us through such subjects as the eclipse of biblical authority in modem times

and the reasons why; the biblical backgrounds that aid in better understanding the Bible;

and the principles by which the Bible should be read and correctly understood. U.S.

$6.95.

How to Get the Most out of Bible Study

by Leo R. Van Dolson.

In this volume the author helps you to understand what the biblical writers are saying.

The valuable aids to analyzing biblical passages will serve the reader about as well as

college classes would—and for some, even better. U.S. $3.50.

Available now through your local Adventist Book Center, or order through your church

lay activities secretary.

Brought to you by Pacific Press

Prices subject to change without notice.



Tran --Africa

wisior

Rwanda

Zaire

lBurundi

Malawi

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Namibia

Botswana

Swaziland

Lesotho

►

South Africa



lTranskei

Project-

500 Rural Churches

Throughout the

Division

Church Sabbath Schc

Unions



Population Churches Members Members

Central African



7,580,500



598 122,584



229,178

South African



7,789,522



169



16,799



12,306

South-East Africa 5,817,000



211



41,800



91.119

Southern



21,500,469 193 16,081 48,873

Zaire



26,000,000 325 63,318 128,657

Zambesi



7,159.140 283 50,403 81,287

Zambia



4,000,000 231 33,487 109,790

Division Totals



79,846,631 2,010 344,472



701,210

(Figures as of September 1979)